Teignmouth RNLI's Anne Steele Arnett, one of eighty RNLI London Marathon runners

Volunteer Lifeboat Visits Officer for Teignmouth RNLI, Anne, will be running the London Marathon later this week in the hopes of raising vital funds to help save lives at sea. Anne has been sharing her training blog via her Just Giving Page and to date has £1,899 in donations. In response to hitting her target of £1864, a special milestone for the RNLI in its 200^th year, Anne stated ‘It’s absolutely fantastic and so much appreciated by us all at our RNLI Teignmouth Lifeboat Station’.

Jayne George, RNLI Fundraising Director, said: ‘We are so thankful to all our RNLI runners taking on this year’s London Marathon. It is a massive challenge and we will be cheering them towards the finish line on race day.

‘The route takes runners near the City of London Tavern in Bishopsgate, where on 4 March 1824, our founder Sir William Hillary’s vision for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea became a reality.

‘200 years later, RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards have saved more than 146,000 lives but this is only possible thanks to generous donations and selfless supporters like our marathon runners along with all those who have contributed to their incredible fundraising efforts. Thank you, your kindness means so much to us. Every one of you is a lifesaver.’

Last year, 89 runners tackled the gruelling 26 mile challenge for the RNLI, raising a staggering £161,234.53

For those not running the marathon, the RNLI is urging the public to take part in the Mayday Mile fundraiser – taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers ready to answer the call to rescue.

The Mayday Mile takes place from Wednesday 1 May to Friday 31 May. Sign up and find out more at RNLI.org/SupportMayday.

Notes to editors

Image showing Anne in her running gear with volunteer crew members, Dane Tyler, Sean Bromfeild, Giles Squirrel, and Dave Matthews.

Link to Anne’s Just Giving Page - Anne Steele Arnett is fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution (justgiving.com)

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Key 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 over 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 146,000 lives.

Key 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.

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Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.