Walmer RNLI volunteer takes on London marathon - in full lifeboat kit
Volunteer helm Dan Sinclair and his friend Nathan Siddans are continuing their mission to raise vital funds for the RNLI through a series of unique and demanding endurance challenges.
Dan and Nathan will take on the Deal half marathon on February 15 - wearing full lifeboat kit - including thermals, drysuits with inbuilt steel toe capped boots, lifejackets, and helmets.
Two months later, on April 26 they will take on all 26.2 miles of the London marathon, also wearing RNLI inshore lifeboat kit.
Dan, who has been a volunteer at Walmer for 18 years, said: ‘We want to raise as much money as possible to help the RNLI continue its vital work saving lives at sea.
‘Nathan and I had the idea to do the challenges in kit to symbolise the physical readiness and commitment shared by RNLI volunteers every day.’
In October 2025 Dan and Nathan raised £16,000 for the RNLI - smashing their £2000 target - by cycling 1,000 miles over 10 days from John o’Groats to Lands End and summiting Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) along the way.
Nathan added: ‘We’ve had incredible support from our community and loved ones following last year’s challenge, and we want to build on that momentum to raise even more funds for the RNLI.
‘We are so grateful for any support as it helps to motivate us on our training runs and every penny raised supports the selfless volunteer crews who save lives at sea.’
To support Dan and Nathan - Dan Sinclair is fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution
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.