Take on the RNLI Reindeer Run and help save lives across the South East

The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews across the South East are ready to answer the call for help this winter, even on Christmas Day, but the charity needs your help too.

This December the RNLI is once again challenging people to take part in the Reindeer Run by running or walking 24 miles to help raise vital funds - that’s one mile for every hour RNLI lifesavers are on call, every day of the year.

Last year alone, RNLI lifeboats in the South East launched almost 30 times during the Christmas period*. These rescues were only possible because of funds raised for the charity by its supporters.

The RNLI’s volunteer crew is on-call 24/7 throughout the winter, ready to launch, no matter if it’s the middle of a dark winter’s night, in freezing temperatures or halfway through Christmas dinner. Fundraising challenges like the Reindeer Run help provide volunteers with the training, equipment and lifesaving kit they need to answer the call.

In December 2025, 10-year-old Ollie wanted to help raise money for the RNLI. Inspired by his uncle, a crew member at his local lifeboat station and also his headteacher, Ollie set himself the challenge of completing the Reindeer Run. Occasionally joined by his sister, Ella-Rose, the trio took on the 24-mile challenge and Ollie even brought his elf on the shelf, who sported its very own RNLI wet suit, along with him. Not only did they complete the distance, but they did an extra mile and raised more than their set fundraising target.

Participants can complete the challenge in whatever way they like. You can run, walk, roll or hop one mile every day for 24 days or choose to run or walk multiple times on different days. Last year, 4-year-old Louis had the most fun riding his scooter.

This year, the RNLI are getting into the Reindeer Run spirit by looking back at a runaway deer’s trip to Eastbourne seaside and its encounter with the RNLI.

In 2022, Eastbourne RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat was called out following reports of a deer by the water’s edge. What followed was no ordinary call-out. The runaway deer, an adult doe, repeatedly jumped in and out of the water, giving the volunteer crew quite the chase before eventually taking refuge in bushes along Eastbourne seafront.

With help from several other organisations, the deer was safely brought under control and later taken to the South Downs where it was released back into the wild, bringing its seaside adventure to a safe ending.

While this deer may have led our volunteers on a festive chase, we’re hoping you’ll be running for a different reason this Christmas. Grab your antlers and take on the Reindeer Run this December, you can sign up now at RNLI.org/ReindeerRunChallenge.

To say thank you for taking part and raising money for the RNLI, you’ll get access to exclusive perks and every participant who raises over £150 will receive their very own commemorative Reindeer Run medal as a thank you for helping to support volunteer lifeboat crews. Every penny/cent raised this Christmas goes directly to help the RNLI save lives at sea.

Notes to editors

· *Christmas period refers to 24 December to 1 January

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Kate Barkley, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [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.

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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.