Hi, my name is James and I’m a volunteer crew member at Withernsea RNLI.

The RNLI has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad, Steve Medcalf, served on the Withernsea lifeboat crew for many years. It was more than just something he did — it was who he was.

In December 2022, we sadly lost him after a fire at his home. His passing left a huge gap, not only in our family but across the town. The support, love and stories that came from the community in the days and weeks after showed just how much he meant to so many.

A month later, I joined the RNLI crew. It felt right — a way to honour him, to carry on what he started, and to understand more deeply the life he lived through his service.

Since then, the RNLI has supported my family in incredible ways, both locally and nationally. I’ll always be grateful for what they’ve done for us.

Now I’m running the London Marathon — for my dad, for the RNLI, and for every person they’ve helped bring home.

Every mile is a tribute to the man he was.

Thank you x