South Devon RNLI lifeguards take on 25-Hour Challenge to mark 25th Anniversary
A team of RNLI lifeguards from across South Devon are preparing to take on an extraordinary endurance challenge this July to celebrate 25 years of RNLI Lifeguards. The team will be running 2.5 kilometres every hour, on the hour, for 25 consecutive hours.
Participants will cover more than 60km over the course of the event which will begin at 6pm on Tuesday 8 July and conclude at 7pm on Wednesday 9 July at Bantham beach.
The team brings together a wealth of experience from across the South Devon lifeguard service. Rosie, now in her ninth season as an RNLI lifeguard, is joined by Daisy and Joe, both with six years experience, and Will, who is in his third season in South Devon after previously lifeguarding in New Zealand.
The event has been organised not only to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the RNLI Lifeguard Service, but also to raise vital funds to support RNLI South Devon Lifeguards.
Since RNLI lifeguards first began patrolling beaches 25 years ago, they have made an extraordinary impact on beach safety across the UK. Over the past quarter-century, RNLI lifeguards have responded to more than 333,000 incidents, aided over 440,000 people, carried out more than 48 million preventative actions and saved more than 2,000 lives.
These figures demonstrate the vital role RNLI lifeguards play in keeping people safe on our coastline every day. In South Devon, RNLI lifeguards patrol beaches stretching from Blackpool Sands to Challaborough, providing preventative advice, responding to emergencies and carrying out lifesaving rescues throughout the busy summer season.
The South Devon team hopes to raise £2,500 to support the continued delivery of the RNLI lifeguard service on beaches from Blackpool Sands to Challaborough, helping ensure lifeguards have the equipment, training and resources needed to continue protecting those who visit our coastline.
RNLI lifeguard and one of the team, Daisy said:
'As lifeguards, we're incredibly proud to be celebrating 25 years of the RNLI Lifeguard Service. For the team, the challenge is about far more than simply completing an endurance event. It is an opportunity to celebrate 25 years of RNLI lifeguards and recognise the friendships, teamwork and sense of community that makes the South Devon lifeguard team so special. We hope the event will not only raise vital funds, but also highlight the incredible work carried out by RNLI lifeguards every day.'
Every contribution, no matter how large or small, will help support the vital work of RNLI South Devon Lifeguards and ensure local beaches remain safe for everyone to enjoy.
Donations can be made via the team's JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rnli-southdevon-25for25?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Annabelle Spiers, Communications Placement at [email protected] or on 07521943895
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.
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