Update 5th October

I am pleased to report that yesterday I completed the virtual 2020 London Marathon in full search and rescue PPE to raise funds for the RNLI in 8 hours, 43 minutes and 12 seconds. 

A huge thank you to Barbara, my wife and crew mate Hannah without whom this attempt would not have been possible.

Thank you also to those who joined me on the walk, keeping my moral up even in the darkest moments.

Finally I am pleased to report that this page along with the RNLI's Facebook page has so far raised a combined total of more than £11,000.

So until the next time......

Update 21.30, 3rd October

In just 12 hours time I will attempt the 2020 virtual London marathon in full Search and Rescue PPE to raise much needed funds for the RNLI. Wish me luck! 

Update 30th September

With four days to go RNLI PR goes live!

https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2020/september/30/lifesaver-swaps-running-kit-for-lifeboat-crew-kit-for-marathon-challenge?fbclid=IwAR3V8VvWU8O8hTSYlnrtcSMueiMYh2us_f0n36CWUcjvO5-vq9V27LUgdjg

Update 9th September

Very privileged to represent front line RNLI volunteers and crew at the City of London 2020 999 Emergency Services Day celebration yesterday. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nniB7V6vRKk& - interview at 26.00.

Update 5th September

With the virtual 2020 London Marathon a month away I set off on a training walk in full PPE on Saturday morning. 

I walked from my home, in Crouch End, to Kings Cross where I joined the Regents Canal to Little Venice, From there I walked back along the canal to Primrose Hill and through Hampstead (it was packed!) across the Heath and home. 

18.5 miles in all in with just under 5 hours moving time.

I probably took another hour on the route as I was engaged by dozens of curious people keen to know why somebody was walking round north London in full waterproofs, a helmet and a life jacket on a lovely late summer’s afternoon.

If you were one of them, thank you, it was a delight to speak to so many of you and it made by exertions easier.

Update 26th August

It is with great disappointment that I must inform you that I have been formally notified that the physical 2020 London Marathon has now been cancelled.

It is therefore my plan to complete the 2020 virtual (on your own in a location of your choice!) Marathon on 4th October 2020 to honour my part of the bargain.

Please watch this space,

Update 22nd April

I will be lapping Alexandra Palace in full PPE for 2.6 hours on 26th April.

Following the government’s recommendations and having consulted with the RNLI I have made the decision to postpone my attempts on the London Landmarks and London Marathon until they are rescheduled later this year.

• I have been a volunteer at Tower RNLI for 15 years and done around 350 12 hour shifts and a similar amount of shouts.
• To celebrate my 15th anniversary I am raising money for the RNLI by doing both the London Landmarks Half Marathon and the London Marathon in full RNLI personal protective equipment
• I weigh 82 Kg, the PPE weighs 8 Kg, adding 10% to my body weight
• To find out more about the RNLI's work on the Thames please go to https://www.towerrnli.com/
• @geckoheadgear @hellyhansen @crewsaver @511tactical 

Long Story

15/3 Update - Longest training walk today in full PPE for the first time. The kit weighs 8 Kg and is very warm. Completed 18 miles at 3.4 mph.

13/03 Update - The 2020 London Marathon has been postponed until October, I will however attempt the route on the original date in full Personal Protective Equipment to raise much needed funds for the RNLI.

09/03 Update - My marathon running kit has arrived!

04/03 Update - What happens if London Marathon is cancelled? There is an increasing possibility that London Marathon will be cancelled to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.

Disappointing as it will be for us participants in the London Marathon it is likely to be an important and necessary precaution to protect the general public.

However I am pleased to confirm that I will go ahead with my attempt to complete the both the London Landmarks Half and the London Marathon, on my own if necessary, in full PPE to meet my commitment.

23/02 Update - First training walk in life jacket and helmet (see picture below). The extra weight had quite an effect and the helmet was very hot. I will need to have a think about my hydration strategy. Completed 13.8 miles in 3 hours 30 minutes. 

09/2 Update - Managed an 11 mile training walk to Tower Lifeboat Station in 2 hours 40 minutes in storm Ciara. Pleased with that but it was surprisingly wet and windy!

29/1 Update - Met the amazing Dee Caffari MBE (double round the world non-stop solo sailor and RNLI Operations Committee Member!) @deecaffari

She thinks I am slightly bonkers but very supportive of my attempt to complete both the London Half-Marathon and London Marathon in full Thames lifeboat crew personal protective equipment for the RNLI.

#lifeboatingincrouchend 

#mylifeinfancydress

28/1 Update - My fund raising challenge for the RNLI just got 50% harder!

I now have an entry for the London Half-Marathon on 29th March which I will attempt in full Thames lifeboat crew personal protective equipment, as pictured.

This will be followed on 26th April with an attempt on the full London Marathon in the same kit.

9/1 Update - I will be on duty from 19.00 the night before the marathon until 07.00 the morning of the marathon. 

22/12 Update - Today I did my longest training walk so far, 15.6 miles in a 5 Kg weighted vest to replicate the weight of the kit I will have to wear on the day. Very hard work, I am done, so and now off to bed.

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Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

You may be aware that the RNLI is under financial pressure as more and more people need our help each year.

In 2020 I will have been a volunteer crew member of Tower Lifeboat for 15 years and to celebrate I am raising money for the RNLI by taking part in both the 2020 London Landmarks Half Marathon in March and the London Marathon in April.

This will be no ordinary marathon attempt as I will be doing both events in all of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that we wear on service calls. Please see photo below.

The PPE consists of boots (with steel toe caps and reinforced soles), salopettes, jacket, life jacket and helmet.

The boots, whilst ideal for our role, are heavy and stiff, the rest of the kit is bulky and heavy so this marathon attempt is going to be a very long and arduous walk.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Photograph courtesy of lauralewisphotography.co.uk