Burnham-on-Sea Gig club member to support the RNLI by marking a historic event
On the 31st December 2025, Gig club member. John Ford will be taking on a challenging 28 km trail run from Porlock Weir to Lynmouth to raise money for the RNLI. The objective is to mark the historic portage of of the Lynmouth lifeboat, Louisa, over a 13 mile route overland to Porlock
John’s route: Rather than taking the most direct line, he will be running into the heart of Porlock village first, before turning up through Hawkcombe to climb all the way to Hawkcombe Head, a 1000 feet steep ascent.
From there, the route crosses remote moorland above Culbone and Oare, drops into the Doone Valley at Malmsmead, continues to Brendon, then follows the twisting, rocky riverside path through the beautiful but technical Watersmeet Gorge before descending into Lynmouth. It’s a demanding route with steep climbs, slippery woodland trails, exposed moorland and narrow river-path sections…..all of it wild, rugged and very Exmoor.
Safety Note: The whole challenge will be supervised by support teams at strategic places along the route, so John has been sensible in his organisation.
On Sunday 21 December John popped into Burnham RNLI Lifeboat station, to make contact with the station volunteers, One of whom, Julie Brown, is both a gig club member and a lifeboat volunteer crew .
John’s friends and crew mates from Burnham on Sea Gig Rowing Club spend many hours on the water and he is undertaking this challenge in honour of the RNLI, who have their backs and whose volunteer crews head out in all weathers including storms to save lives at sea. John’s inspiration comes from one of the greatest rescue efforts in RNLI history: the Lynmouth–Porlock lifeboat haul of January 1899.
The Historic journey: When hurricane-force winds made a launch from Lynmouth impossible, the crew, along with dozens of local helpers and a team of 18 horses hauled the 34-foot lifeboat over the spine of Exmoor, dragging it more than 13 miles through the night, climbing over 1,500 feet in brutal winter conditions, before launching from Porlock Weir to assist the stricken “Forrest Hall.” Their determination and courage was extraordinary.
John says; ‘My run is tiny compared to what they did, but it’s my way of paying tribute and supporting the RNLI’s life-saving work.’
‘I wanted to do something that connected me with this landscape which I have very fond memories of as a child and with the history of the RNLI in a meaningful way. The Lynmouth–Porlock lifeboat haul is one of the most extraordinary acts of determination and courage in RNLI history. My run is a tribute to that spirit and a chance to raise funds for the charity that still saves lives today. ‘
‘If you’d like to support my fundraising efforts, it would mean a huge amount. Every donation helps keep the RNLI’s volunteer crews ready to respond when they’re needed most providing 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands.
John has a ‘Just giving’ page, which is : https://www.justgiving.com/page/johns-rnli-challenge?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
Notes for Editors:
There is more information about the historic journey on website: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/timeline/1899-launch-from-porlock-weir
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2004.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.