Join the RNLI Christmas Reindeer Run in Portsmouth and help save lives at sea
There’s still time to grab your antlers and take part in the RNLI’s annual Reindeer Run in Hampshire this Christmas and help save lives at sea all throughout the year.
On Sunday 4 December the charity will be holding the annual festive fundraiser at Southsea Common where it’s hoped hundreds of people will don a pair of antlers and join its mascots Rookie the Reindeer and Stormy Stan to raise money for the charity.
This Christmas, while many people will be enjoying time off with their families, RNLI volunteer’s at the charity’s 238 lifeboat stations will be on call, ready to leave their festive celebrations and launch at a moment’s notice if their pagers sound.
But the Reindeer Run is a way in which supporters can help the charity pay for vital equipment and training without missing their Christmas dinner. Plus the sight of hundreds of runners dressed as reindeers is likely to put a smile on everyone’s faces in the build up to the big day.
The event opens at 7.45am and there is a choice of 10k or 5k fund runs and even a 1k Santa Saunter that’s perfect for the little ones to take part in. All those who complete the run will receive a free RNLI Reindeer Run medal. There will be prizes for the first woman and first man to cross the finish line in the 10k and 5k runs. Runners, who must register and buy tickets for the event in advance, are encouraged to raise sponsorship which will go directly to saving lives.
‘The Reindeer Run is a great way of supporting the RNLI,’ said Portsmouth Lifeboat volunteer crew member Kim Dugan. ‘We always have to be ready in case the pagers go at Christmas, but it’s a big boost to know the Reindeer runners have been giving their support at this busy time of year to help ensure we can launch’.
‘It can be hard on our family and friends if we disappear halfway through Christmas dinner, but the sea and the dangers it can bring never takes a holiday, so nor can we,’ Kim explained.
For more information or to sign up for the Portsmouth Reindeer Run click here: https://rnli.org/support-us/raise-money/reindeer-run/events-near-you/2022/december/04/rnli-portsmouth-reindeer-run-2022
For those unable to attend the event there is also the opportunity for anyone, anywhere, to take part by joining the RNLI’s virtual Reindeer Run. For the first time the RNLI is setting Reindeer Runners the challenge of running 24 miles throughout December – that’s one mile for every hour RNLI lifesavers are on call everyday, even on Christmas Day.
For more information and to sign up: https://rnli.org/support-us/raise-money/reindeer-run
For any enquiries and questions about the Southsea Common or virtual Reindeer Run please email: [email protected]
Attached photos: RNLI Reindeer runs in previous years have attracted large entries of runners donning festive antlers.
Note for Editors:
In addition to the entry fee, we encourage all participants to raise as much as they can to help the RNLI continue to save lives at sea. Once registered, an online fundraising page will be automatically set up for you. This can be personalised with a photo and message, and once shared with friends and family should help boost your fundraising.
The race will start in the middle of Southsea Common. The route is 2.5km, so the 5k race will consist of running the route twice, and the 10k four times.
The 1K Santa Saunter is a family friendly fun walk. Water refills will be available for runners, however participants should bring their own bottles. Toilets and a range of public car parks are all nearby, we'd encourage participants to use public transport if possible.
RNLI Media contacts
· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.
Key facts about the RNLI The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inlandKey facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.