The Thanet RNLI community team has been unable to get out as much as we would have dearly wanted to this year because of COVID restriction. We know that the Thanet community appreciate our proactive initiatives in passing on safety advice to boat owners, coastal walkers, fishermen and others that use the coast around the Isle.

One of the things we are going to do this year, with full social distancing, is support the RNLI with its Christmas fundraising initiative…..the RNLI Reindeer Run.

Two of the team, Andy Mills and Ian Lockyer, will be running a coastal route from Ramsgate RNLI station to Margate RNLI station which is approximately 10 miles. They will be joined by Andy's son, Ben and Thanet Roadrunners Jacquie Brazil, Ellis Johns and Eloise Kingett. Wearing the obligatory antlers, they will be leaving the Ramsgate station at 11.00am on Sunday, 13th December.

Andy Mills, RNLI Community Safety Officer said, ‘We think it is an excellent way to raise awareness of the good work that the volunteers around our stations do and also raise funds for the RNLI. Volunteer crews at the charity’s 238 lifeboat stations will hope to sit down to enjoy Christmas dinner this year, some always have their festive celebrations cut short as their pagers sound and they leave friends and family and head out to sea.’

Ian Lockyer, RNLI Community Safety Adviser said, ‘Most of my friends would say this is a doddle for me but I would have run a marathon 24 hours before…so it will hurt.’