Thanks to all who have sponsored me for the BathHalf Marathon. I'll run my legs off for you today.

 

This is my second year running Bath Half Marathon and again I am running for the RNLI - Lifeguards.

As a keen UK beach goer and boat lover, I've always been aware of what a grand job the RNLI does to keep families safe at the waters edge. Even though I've not needed to call on their services, we've had a few near misses as well as friends who've needed the help of the RNLI.

This year, its all about teaching kids about water safety.

According to RoSPA:

"In 2005 there 681 water-related fatalities, 435 of these are suspected accidental drownings, the majority of these occurring between May and July. Almost one third (120) of accidental drownings occurred after the victim slipped or fell in from the land or structures over water, the majority of these occurring at inland locations".

Your sponsorship will help the RNLI to fund a local education project for primary school kids allowing the children to learn vital beach safety messages and how to keep safe on the beach.

That way accidents can be avoided when you are out on the beach - giving you piece of mind and your child essential knowledge.

-------------------- 

So whats the plan this year?

Last year, you might have sponsored me to run Bath Half Marathon. We raised over £500 for the RNLI Lifeguards campaign.

This year, to step it up, I will be asking you to sponsor my 2 race madness this spring.

The first race is the Tough Ten on 13th February 2011 - a race of 10 miles within a maximum of 2 hours. Its all terrain, beach and woods - a wild run and challenger.

Then, 3 weeks later, on the 6th March its the Bath Half Marathon. 13.1 miles (21.5km) of tarmac through Bath and environs. With over 10,000 other runners.

My challenge here is to beat my previous 1hr 47mins and my personal best for Half Marathon at 1hr 42mins (Bristol 2010).

You can check out my training progress at http://www.geekrunning.co.uk

As the RNLI is funded entirely by voluntary donations, please dig deep. The more we can raise, the more we can help save lives.

Training through next few months is nothing compared to what volunteers of the RNLI will go through when they are called out to rescue helpless and stranded seamen. Help me make a difference as I raise funds for the RNLI.

 

Thanks for reading my story and accepting my challenge. With your donation we can help ensure the RNLI are equiped to save our children from accidents in the water and keep everyone safe next time we're beachbound.

--------------------

About the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of the British Isles, as well as inshore. It was founded on 4 March 1824 as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, adopting the present name in 1854. It now operates as an international service to the peoples of the UK and Ireland and has official charity status in each nation. The RNLI operates 444 lifeboats (332 are on station, 112 are in the relief fleet), from 235 lifeboat stations around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Since 1980, lifeboat rescues have doubled. The RNLI's lifeboats rescued an average of 21 people a day in 2008. They saved 288 lives in 2008. The RNLI Operations department defines 'rescues' and 'lives saved' differently.

--------------------

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.