On April 24th 2016 I will be running the London Marathon in memory of my good friend Paul Burnham, pictured above, who was killed in a North Sea helicopter crash in 2009 but also to raise funds for the RNLI lifeboat crews who helped that rescue effort, and who volunteer their time to help those in danger at sea year-round.

Over 10 years ago I began flying search and rescue for the Coastguard in the UK. This started in Shetland, later Stornoway and more recently in Ireland, and I spent many occasions hovering a helicopter over the back of local lifeboats on training missions and taskings.

The dedication shown by RNLI crews, to be willing to give up their time to hone their skills and dare to venture out in unimaginable weather most would never realise existed is simply astounding. I was fortunate to be paid for my work, RNLI volunteers give up their free time to provide an essential service that saves many, year on year. On occasion some have given their lives, such as the Penlee Lifeboat disaster of December 1981 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeIX0VnUMKo).

On 1 April 2009, my pilot friend Paul Burnham was captaining a helicopter, returning with 14 passengers and co-pilot from the Miller offshore oil platform to Aberdeen airport. A catastrophic technical fault occurred with the immensely tragic loss of all lives on board. Peterhead all-weather lifeboat crew were among the first on scene to attempt to assist. Due to the nature of the incident, nothing could be done to save anyone on board. However the crew began the harrowing task of recovering bodies of those deceased from the water. Little training could prepare someone for what could only be accurately described by those present. As volunteers it would be understandable if the crew felt it too difficult to participate further, yet the Peterhead lifeboat crew remained on-scene and central to the recovery operation. This is a level of dedication and selflessness that an ordinary man would not display.
(A short video of a standard day for Peterhead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf_pRVdhLWU)

At Paul's funeral a collection was held for the RNLI, significant funds were raised. Incidentally his funeral took place just 2 days before the 2009 London marathon.

I feel it appropriate to now come forward and go the extra mile, well 26.2 to be exact, to raise funds and also awareness of all RNLI crew's efforts – day after day, year after year, saving and assisting those in difficulty. The current average is 23 callout's per day. More callout information can be viewed at www.rnli.org

The RNLI is not just about lifeboats and ships in difficulty however. Our inland waterways and coastline are served from the highland's of Scotland to freshwater lough's in Ireland, beaches in the south of England and even the river Thames in London. Lifeguard's cast a watchful eye over holidaymakers, providing warnings to potential beach hazards, 95% of their work is preventative. Inshore lifeboats assist those smaller pleasure craft or swimmers unfortunate to find themselves in difficulty and in London's case a very busy urban waterway. Very recently RNLI flood rescue teams have made international news for their efforts after December/January's heavy rainfall and associated devastation.

The costs involved vary in scale to continue this vital selfless service.                       

Training so far:

This will be my first marathon. Experience has only been to half-marathon distance, and only in the last 6 months. I am generally fit, used to run when younger, and so far training has gone relatively well.

My half-marathon time is 1 hour 51 minutes so that's a good starting point. My training has to fit around my work schedule flying VIP and air ambulance helicopters in both London and the UK Midlands. I had been running in Norway for periods of summer and autumn. Now the Thames path and Embankment provide some interesting sights to stave the boredom. I have run with London Midnight Runners (no, not actually at midnight.....), a social media based group including ultra-marathon regulars who run and train around some of the major sights along the river and provide great advice and training assistance.

With that in mind I am asking everyone to give as generously as possible via this webpage which will direct funds straight to the RNLI. (UK taxpayers can add Gift-Aid also which would be greatly appreciated.) The initial target in an absolute minimum, not a maximum and I need the motivation to get through all of the 26.2 miles on April 24th. If anyone would like to support on the day if nearby then that would also be brilliant, every little helps.

Thanks for taking the time to have a read and consider this epic cause.

Fionnán