Mum reaches finish line after 400-mile RNLI run

Emma Kirwin, 47, has spent all her spare weekends and days off for the past 12 months running between 26 of the RNLI’s lifeboat stations in the south-east of England.

She completed her lung-busting coastal journey on Monday 19 August at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset – a year and a day after setting off from Teddington RNLI in London.

In between she has run from Sheerness in Kent to Mudeford, Dorset and if that wasn’t enough, she also ran this year’s London Marathon, completing the 26.2 miles through the streets of the capital in just over four hours.

‘It’s been such an amazing adventure over the past year,’ said Emma, who was on her fourth pair of running shoes by the end, after pounding pavements, promenades and towpaths in all weathers.

‘I have met so many amazing and inspiring people along the way. What shone through at every station I visited was how proud and committed the volunteer crews are to saving lives, so I am really pleased to be able to play my part by helping support the vital work of the RNLI.’

Cheered on and supported by husband Miles and teenage children Freddie and Posy, Emma kept track of the stations she visited on a flag presented to her at the start by the Teddington crew.

She added: ‘Whenever it got hard or the weather turned nasty I would just think about the amazing rescue stories the crews told me. Those stories kept me going.

‘I am really inspired by how the volunteer crew members come together from all walks of life with such a strong bond and passion to keep people safe. I feel proud to be raising funds for a charity full of so many selfless and dedicated people.’

Claire Johnson, RNLI’s Fundraising and Partnership Lead said: ‘The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years, but this is only possible thanks to generous donations and incredible fundraisers like Emma and her family

‘Thank you, your kindness means so much to us and we are so grateful for your wonderful support.’

Notes to editors

· Emma’s fundraising page can be found by clicking on this link

· Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved 146,277 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years

· More information about the RNLI’s 200 years of lifesaving can be found here

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Izzy Coley, RNLI Media Engagement Placement – South East Region on [email protected] or telephone RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

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

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, around 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.

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.