Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat volunteer takes on Mayday Mile challenge in full kit

Jonathan isn't going it alone. Fellow lifeboat volunteers will be joining him on various days throughout May, showing their support and camaraderie. To mark the final day, Jonathan will be running the entire length of Southend Pier, surrounded by a team of his fellow volunteers.

This impressive feat is all in aid of raising vital funds for the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea. Jonathan's dedication is sure to inspire the community, and every donation will go towards ensuring the RNLI lifeboats are fully equipped and operational.

Jonathan said: ‘This year the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea where some 144,000 lives since its beginning have been saved and returned home to their families.

I’m taking on this challenge to raise vital funds for the RNLI, to be there to answer the call today, tomorrow and the next 200 years to continue to save lives at sea’.

Help Jonathan reach his fundraising goal and support the RNLI's lifesaving work. Donations can be made through Jonathan's sponsorship page:

https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/jonathancharnock/mayday-mile

Notes to editors

• Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1879. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://southendlifeboat.org/
• RNLI Mayday Mile: https://fundraise.rnli.org/event/mayday-mile/home

RNLI media contacts

• For more information please contact: Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI, 07765875300 or [email protected],
• Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• Julie Rainey, Regional Communications Lead - South East, on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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, in a normal year, 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.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.

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.