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Scarborough RNLI braving Yorkshire’s equivalent to Everest in 24 hours…overnight

Lifeboats News Release

Twelve members of the Scarborough RNLI crew will brave the North Yorkshire Moors, completing the Lyke Wake Walk in 24 hours overnight. They will start this 67km challenge at 4pm, Friday 21 July 2023, finishing at 4pm, Saturday 22 July 2023.

None members of the Scarborough RNLI Lyke Wake Walk team 2023 holding a stretcher, stood in front of an all weather lifeboat.

RNLI/NIck Gough

Scarborough RNLI Lyke Wake Walk team

The purpose of this arduous challenge is to raise funds for Scarborough RNLI and the RNLI Yorkshire and North East - Lifesavers Fund, with a fundraising target of £1000. Scarborough RNLI has a history of completing difficult tasks and the crew thought this would be great as the next challenge.


This gruelling challenge will involve testing climbs and ascents of up to 4800ft. In addition, they are completing this in the darkness of night. With a reputation for being the Yorkshire equivalent of climbing Mount Everest, the Lyke Wake Walk is not for the faint-hearted. It will push their mental dexterity and physical ability to their absolute limit. Their ability to work as a team will be put to the test, in for some of them an unfamiliar environment.

As if this wasn’t overwhelming enough, they decided to make it a ‘commando’ style task, by carrying a stretcher and mannequin for the whole distance. Because it is against the clock, there is no respite either. It will take a huge amount of self-discipline, mutual support and a dose of camaraderie too.

The route will begin at Scarth Wood Moor, near Osmotherley, transiting over the North Yorkshire Moors for approximately 40 miles. They will end their journey at the Ravenscar Hotel, Revenscar on the North Yorkshire coast, 11 miles north of Scarborough. The highest point of the route is Botton Head, Urra Moor, 1,489 ft (454 m). By comparison, the lowest point is Scugdale Beck, 410 ft (120m).


Lee Marton, Scarborough RNLI Coxswain commented: ‘To complete the task in 24 hours is going to be very difficult, we started training three months ago and have already completed two practice walks, so we now know the issues we are going to have to carry the stretcher over different terrain. If there is one thing that we will get out of it, apart from blisters, is that we will have to depend on each other, as teamwork is what will get us to the end.

'The team consists of 12 crew members, 10 doing the challenge and two supporting as drivers. The eldest is Colin our Chairman, he is in late seventies. We also have Cara who is a midwife and has taken annual leave to take part in the challenge and is also the only female on the team.'

If you would like to support our courageous crew members, please make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/page/scarborough-rnli-lykewaywalk2023.

Notes to editors

  • RNLI has been operating since 1801 and is one of the oldest stations in the United Kingdom still in operation. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station.

  • A photo of the Lyke Wake Walk team and a map of the route are attached.

  • Adam Sheader, ILB D Class Helm, Scarborough RNLI is available for interview.

  • Funds raised by Scarborough RNLI may go towards operating and training costs e.g. Crew kit such as ILB crew Drysuit (£805*), ILB crew Thermal suit (£150*), ALB crew layered clothing and boots (£1600*), Lifejacket (£590*), Helmet (£350*) and/ or gloves (£25*). The average training cost for a crew member is £1400.

*(RRP, discounts negotiated where possible)


The 40 mile route of the Lyke Wake Walk across the North Yorkshire Moors, starting near Osmotherley and at the Ravenscar Hotel, Revenscar, near Scarborough.

Google maps

The Lyke Wake Walk route

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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