Thanks for visiting my page where I'm raising funds for the RNLI through running. As a boatbuilder born and raised in a fishing community I spend much of my life around boats and the sea and I'm a lifelong supporter of the work done by our lifeboats. 

I took up running fairly recently after a sporadic athletics career. I did run for a train in 1978 (I missed it) and once caught athlete's foot in the 1980s, but apart from that my trusty trainers lay largely unused. Battling diabetes for the past decade hasn't helped.

Thanks to a wonderful family, though, who have supported and encouraged me every step of the way, I'm training hard.  

On Sunday October 3rd, 2010, I ran the River Ness 10K in Inverness, part of the Baxters Festival of Running, raising a fabulous £900 in the process. I set a personal best in the race - not too hard as it was my first race since I was in primary two!

Now I'm aiming for the RNLI Reindeer Run 10K at Glamis Castle on November 21. More events will follow in 2011. I'm determined to push my fundraising total forward once again. 

Every day an average of 22 people are rescued by the RNLI’s lifeboat crews. This is only made possible by the personal courage and commitment of the brave volunteers, their high quality equipment and their regular specialist training. Rescue doesn’t come cheap. Training can make the difference between life and death. Fewer than 10% of new volunteer crew members are from a professional maritime background, so this is a considerable training challenge.

Your support can help meet this challenge and give the RNLI a real Christmas cracker by supporting me on the Reindeer Run.  

I hope none of my boats ever need any of theirs, but the sea is an unforgiving and unpredictable place. Many thousands of people have good reason to give thanks for the sight of a lifeboat slicing through the waves towards them. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with them as they never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the RNLI and ensure 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.

Thanks a million for your support. Without you I'd be all at sea.

Best regards

Mike