Participants sought for Reindeer Run

NORTHSIDE volunteer RNLI crewmembers are gearing up for a major fundraising event being held to raise funds for the organisation later this month.

This year’s RNLI Reindeer Run will be held on Sunday, November 30 at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, with a Santa Saunter, 1.5km and 3km Rookie Runs for younger participants, and 5km and 10km routes for runners and walkers.

Speaking at the launch, Howth RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Lorcan Dignam said:

“We are so grateful to the many people who raise funds to keep the lifeboats afloat in Dublin.

“The RNLI is a charity and relies on the generosity of the public to ensure that we can go to sea at any time to save lives with the best in equipment and training.

“People never know when they will need us but we will always be there.

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Skerries RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Gerry Canning said:

“The RNLI has been very busy this year and the demand for our services sees us helping many people off our coast.

“It’s not just people in boats that we help, but everyone who uses the water, including swimmers, kayakers and people who get cut off by rising tides.

“Funds raised by the public go to support our training, kit and equipment.

? The charity event encourages people to have fun while supporting the RNLI in its work, saving lives at sea.

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Author and adventuress Teena Gates will be present on the day to start the fun and put the participants through their paces, with a warm-up before the event co-hosted with Rookie the Reindeer.

Since leaving 98fm as Head of News, Ms Gates has conquered Everest, and motivates and inspires others through her challenges and passion for fitness.

“I can’t think of a better way to support the RNLI than coming out and having fun by walking or running around Marlay Park for the lifeboats,

? said Ms Gates.

“I know first-hand the incredible work the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews carry out along the coast and I encourage people to turn up, show their support, get in some exercise and raise funds for this wonderful charity.

“So many people across Dublin are taking up exercise, and events like these are a great way to blow off the cobwebs and give it a go.

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Last year hundreds of people across the Northside and Southside took part in the Reindeer Run.

“I hope we can beat that number this year,

? Ms Gates added.

“The sight of hundreds of people gallivanting around Marlay Park in their red Reindeer Run t-shirts with antlers on top of their heads was a sight I will never forget.

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Registration is now open at rnli.org/reindeer or email [email protected] and costs

?¬10 for the 1.5km and 3km Santa Saunters or

?¬20 for the 5km and 10km.

All participants in the 5km and 10km events receive a limited edition RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt, a pair of antlers and a medal.
Last year Dublin lifeboats launched a total 124 times and brought 166 people to safety, 18 of those were young people.