Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I do appreciate that it's a tough time to be asking for money but charities are feeling it more than most so please do give what you can and sponsor me online.  Trust me, it won't be as painful as the last eight miles I'll be running on the 26th!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

I decided to run for the RNLI because of my experiences as a UK scuba diving instructor.  During over 10 years teaching around the UK, I twice had to call upon the RNLI to help me with diving emergencies.  I also came to know the crew of my local lifeboat well (teaching a couple to dive!) and to appreciate their unassuming heroism.  One of my closest friends active on the team was seriously injured and nearly lost the use of her arm during one of their many 'shouts'.  On another occasion, the team put to sea in conditions so rough that they were capsized three times just getting out of the marina (each time with a high risk of being smashed against the breakwater) but rather than giving up, they righted the boat each time, climbed back on board and kept on going.

The RNLI depends almost entirely on unpaid volunteers.  Last year RNLI lifeboats rescued almost 8,000 people, an average of 21 people a day, whilst RNLI lifeguards (on patrol at more than 100 UK beaches) assisted over 10,000 people.  The number of incidents per year is continuing to rise whilst at the same time the number of volunteers with a strong nautical background is falling.  They rely upon donations to give them the training they need to go out in all conditions.

So please sponsor me now!  Many thanks for your support.