Help save lives at sea with the RNLI Reindeer Run challenge

Runners can choose to join Rookie the Reindeer for a festive family fun day at Par race track on Saturday 13 December or tackle 24 miles, one mile for every hour volunteer crew are on call over the festive period, any way they like over the month of December.

The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews across the south west are ready to answer the call for help this winter – but the charity needs your help too. Participants can choose between a 5k or 2K fun run on Par’s official athletics track, no potholes, no muddy pathways, no gravel in your shoes, just a perfect sporting level track

Esther Farrant, RNLI Community Manager says; ‘Our crews are on-call 24/7 ready to answer calls for help this winter. It can be hard on family and friends if they are called out to a rescue during a winter storm, or even halfway through Christmas dinner, but they’re ready to give their time to help save others.

‘Fundraising challenges like the Reindeer Run help to provide our crew with the training, equipment and lifesaving crew kit they need to help reunite more families this Christmas.

We’d love to see you on 13 December, be sure to wear your best Christmas-themed attire and lace up your running shoes for a morning filled with exercise, holiday spirit, and some mince pies to finish. There will even be a prize for the best festive fancy dress!

The event doesn't finish after the run as there will be lots to do at the venue from their onsite pump track for bike and scooter enthusiasts, and a bustling cafe with delicious treats and informative health and fitness promotions, there's something for everyone to enjoy.’

To sign up visit Eventbrite - RNLI Cornwall Reindeer Run 2025 Registration, Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

For those unable to make an in person event the RNLI is challenging people to take part in the Reindeer Run by running, walking, jogging or rolling 24 miles to help raise vital funds - that’s one mile for every hour RNLI lifesavers are on call everyday, even on Christmas Day.

Participants can tackle the distance any way they like – which could be covering one mile every day for 24 days or choosing to take part in multiple miles on different occasions.

If you’re ready to get involved this December, you can sign up now for free at RNLI.org/ReindeerRunChallenge. Every participant who raises over £125 will receive their very own exclusive Reindeer Run medal as a thank you for helping to support volunteer lifeboat crews. And every penny raised this Christmas goes directly to help the RNLI save lives at sea.

Notes to editors

· *Christmas period refers to 24 – December – 1 January

· The virtual Reindeer run challenge is available to sign-up from 23 October and takes place from 1 to 24 December

· Fundraisers can access free downloadable materials, to use anytime throughout the challenge, this includes from a Fundraising Guide, 24 day Challenge Tracker to social media resources.

· When each participant signs up this year, there is the opportunity to enter a prize drawn, to win a red YETI cooler box. The winner will be revealed in early December.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead at [email protected] Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].

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.