Sign up to a fitness challenge during 2024 and support the RNLI

This year the RNLI is marking its 200^th anniversary of saving lives. Since the charity was founded by Sir William Hillary in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives.

Today, the charity operates 238 lifeboat stations and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK and Ireland. It designs and builds its own lifeboats, and it runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

The volunteering ethos at the heart of the RNLI is what makes the charity so special – volunteers have given their time and commitment over the past two centuries, as they continue to do today. And generous donations have continued to power the RNLI’s lifesaving work – everything the RNLI has achieved since 1824 has been made possible thanks to their generosity.

During 2024 we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond. From skydives, to swims and a challenging bike ride, the RNLI has a range of events to suit everyone.

For those craving adrenaline and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, throughout 2024 you have the chance to take part in an exhilarating skydive over the beautiful Devon landscape. The RNLI has partnered with Skybuzz near Honiton to run a number of skydive days for the RNLI throughout 2024, with the aim to get 200 people skydiving for the lifesaving charity in our 200^th year.

The dates are; 21^st April, 10^th May, 22^nd June, 12^th July, 3^rd and 4^th August, 20^th September and 12^th October, or participants are welcome to jump on another date which suits.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI Regional Partnerships Lead, said: ‘Skybuzz is a fantastic skydive location and they’ve been incredibly supportive of our charity in helping us to mark our 200^th birthday in 2024. We’d love to see as many people as possible sign up and take part in this exhilarating experience, and do something memorable to help us continue to save lives at sea well into the future.’

The cost to take part is £395, with an additional £50 deposit, and participants are encouraged to fundraise as much as possible with all funds going to the RNLI.To sign up, visit https://www.skydiveukltd.com/charities and search for RNLI.

On Sunday 12^th May the RNLI Land’s End Sportive takes place. Kindly sponsored by Land’s End Landmark, the event will start and finish at Lands End and will see riders take part in one of three routes around west Cornwall – the RNLI 200, a challenging 200km route; The Lifeboat Sportive, a 100km route; or the Penlee Pedal, a 41km loop from Lands End to Mousehole, Penlee lifeboat station and Penzance.

All riders can choose an event T-shirt to celebrate taking part in this unique challenge. And entrants to the 200km route will be put in a prize draw and have the opportunity to win great prizes. Mounts Bay Cycle Service is supporting the event by providing free bike checks and set up support on the morning of the event

Entry is £30 for the shorter route, and £40 for the two longer routes. To enter click here:

https://LandsEndSportive.eventbrite.co.uk

And the two RNLI swims are back for another year in 2024, with the Castle to Castle taking place on Sunday 30^th June, and the Around the Mount swim on Saturday 6 July.

The Castle to Castle swim is a well-established and popular one-mile swim from Pendennis Point to St Mawes, and will begin at 12 noon this year. Entry is £30 with a minimum sponsorship of £70, and an aim for each participant to raise £200 for the RNLI in its 200^th year. To enter visit https://rnlicastle2castle2024.eventbrite.co.uk

The Round the Mount swim takes place on Saturday 6 July and is a 1.6-mile swim from Marazion around St Michael’s Mount. Entry is £30 with a minimum sponsorship of £70 and an aim for each participant to raise £200 for the RNLI in its 200^th year. To enter visit https://rnliaroundthemount2024.eventbrite.co.uk

Dave added: ‘We’re delighted to have a wide offering of ways people can support the RNLI in 2024, which marks 200 years of saving lives at sea for the charity. Whether you’re challenging yourself to an open water swim, or bravely jumping out of a plane, we are so appreciative of all our those who take on personal challenges to raise money for our charity. There are a number of other events being finalised, which we’ll be able to announce shortly, so keep your eyes out for other sporting challenges to get involved with.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office in 01202 336789.

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.