A man from our village is running this weekend’s London Marathon in aid of a cause close to his heart – The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Ruddington resident Chris Cooke will be heading down to the capital to join thousands of other runners this Sunday (October 3rd) trying to complete the 26.2 mile course to raise money for their chosen charities.
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour search and rescue service all around the UK and Ireland, while lifeguards keep a careful watch on the UK’s busiest beaches. RNLI lifesaving and drowning prevention depends on supporter fundraising and the generous donations from the public.
Whilst it may seem a strange choice of charity for a land-locked villager, Chris tells RUDDINGTON.info that he and his family have always gone out of their way to support the RNLI throughout the year, with visits to their charity shops and stalls, as well as ordering their Christmas cards. “I’ve had many happy holidays on the beach in Sheringham and the first stop is always the lifeboat station to watch the lifeboats doing their drills” he explains. “The driving force in supporting the RNLI is my late dad, George. It was an interest we shared together, and we spent many hours watching the lifeboats, and also sailing our very own RNLI model lifeboat we built together on the boating lake. This is something I really miss.”
Chris says running in support of the charity is also to honour his dad’s memory: “I hope that my fundraising can contribute to remembering him by having his name placed on the side of the new Shannon class lifeboat launching in Wells, Norfolk. I’m also very interested about water safety as I have worked in the gym and leisure industry for over 17 years. I’ve taught many people to swim – a valuable life skill when close to the water, which has helped many out of trouble.”
Chris secured his 2021 London Marathon place via ballot and chose to run for the RNLI for the personal reasons explained above; to support them on their mission to keep people safe around the coast of Great Britain, and due to his career interest in water safety. His commitment to fitness and a healthy lifestyle has helped many to change their lives – as well as his own – and this is his next challenge. He’s hoping to raise at least £500 for the lifesaving charity.
If you’d like to sponsor Chris’s London Marathon run, in aid of the RNLI, you can do so now via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chriscooke2021.
“Thank you.”
