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200 miles for 200 years of the RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Tower RNLI crew member marks charity’s milestone anniversary by running two miles every day for 100 days, raising funds to help support the organisation for a further 200 years.

Stephen Wheatley with Tower crewmates outside Tower Lifeboat Station

RNLI/Tower

Stephen Wheatley with Tower crewmates

Stephen Wheatley, crew at Tower lifeboat station, has been a committed fundraiser for the RNLI since 2005. He has taken on a triathlon alongside some of his crewmates, as well as the London marathon in full RNLI PPE. Amongst other events, he has collectively helped raise over £60k for the RNLI.

This year he has challenged himself to run 200 miles to commemorate the RNLI’s bicentennial year. He has completed 90 out of his 100, two miles runs, raising over £5,000 for the organisation so far. Stephen has set himself the target of raising £9k-£10k with his fundraising effort and is still optimistic he will reach his goal.

Throughout this challenge, Stephen has received support from his friends, family and crewmates, joining him for several runs. He even partook in a virtual run with his friend living overseas. Other notable runs include those he partook while away with work in both Germany and Holland.

Now, close to the end of his challenge, he plans to run his final 2 mile run around the outside of Tower lifeboat station.

A fitting finish for this dedicated volunteer who has just celebrated his 19th anniversary being crew with the station. In his time with Tower RNLI, he has been part of the crew for over 400 shouts, of which eight have been designated as lives saved.

The station is one of only four RNLI lifeboat stations that is crewed around the clock on every day of the year. The station’s dedicated volunteers and staff ensure a safety presence from Barking Creek to Wandsworth Bridge on the River Thames.

Currently the station has an E-class lifeboat E-07 Hurley Burly, which has been with the station since 2011.

Stephen has successfully completed over 450 12-hour shifts are the station and isn’t planning on stopping any time soon.

Due to his dedication to the RNLI, Stephen recently became the RNLI’s new standard bearer. He said: ‘It is a great honour and privilege to be representing members of the RNLI as their next standard bearer’.

He attended his first official event as standard bearer on Sunday 8 September, a merchant navy commemorative service. He spoke highly of the event and is looking forward the year ahead.

To date, the RNLI volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

If you would like to support Stephen’s bicentennial challenge for the RNLI and help raise vital funds to allow the charity to continue saving lives for the next 200 years, please visit this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-wheatley-1721734766708

You can also track his progress from his Strava link: https://www.strava.com/athletes/2811407


RNLI media contacts

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

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

Stephen Wheatley and friend smiling after a 2 mile run

RNLI

Stephen Wheatley and friend smiling after a 2 mile run

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.