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Gravesend RNLI lifeboat crew members take on a towering fundraiser challenge

Lifeboats News Release

Fiona Craven and Karla Thresher will both be taking on the RNLI Tower Run: over 1,400 steps of 22 Bishopsgate in London to raise money for the charity.

Gravesend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member Fiona Craven, in full kit holding her helmet, stood next to Gravesend's B class lifeboat Olive Laura Deare II.

RNLI/Fiona Craven

Gravesend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member Fiona Craven, in full kit next to Gravesend's B class lifeboat Olive Laura Deare II.
Karla, who has been a Thames Commander for one year, as well as a volunteer crew member at Minehead RNLI station for 16 years, said 'this challenge is very much out of my comfort zone, but I will give it my best shot. We are both doing it to raise money for the RNLI, which relies on donations to equip lifeboat crews with essential kit, training and materials to save lives at sea and on the Thames'.

Fiona and Karla have been training as often as they can to prepare for the event, up to four days a week. They have been fitting training in between work, other hobbies and commitments, and volunteering.

Fiona, who has been volunteering as a lifeboat crew member at Gravesend station for almost four years, said, 'we will be doing the Tower Run in full RNLI crew kit: a full dry suit, lifejacket, and helmet. It's going to be a really tough challenge but we are aiming to complete it in about 90 minutes.'

The event will take place on Saturday 28 October 2023, and it is the tallest and toughest Tower Run event in the UK. 22 Bishopsgate holds special significance for the RNLI as it stands on the very site of the London Tavern where the institution was founded in 1824.

Both Fiona and Karla have pages you can visit to find out more about their challenge, and to donate to the RNLI:
If you would like to take part in the Tower Run and fundraise for the RNLI, you can sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rnli-tower-run-2023-registration-569436258177?aff=oddtdtcreator to support us to save more lives at sea and on the Thames.

RNLI Media Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Helena Lane, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI (07809) 683883 email [email protected]

Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (London and South East), on 02076 207 425 or 07785 296 252, or email [email protected]


Gravesend RNLI lifeboat crew members Karla (left) and Fiona (right), in full kit taking a smiling selfie.

RNLI/Fiona Craven

Gravesend RNLI lifeboat crew members Karla (left) and Fiona (right), in full kit.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.