Howth RNLI welcomes home endurance runner after epic 6-week coastal challenge
Howth RNLI welcomes home endurance runner after epic 6-week coastal challenge
Lifeboats News Release
The volunteer crew at Howth RNLI have welcomed home endurance runner Vini Cardoso, who has completed an extraordinary self-supported run around the entire coastline of Ireland to raise vital funds for the RNLI.
RNLI/Tom Ryan
Endurance runner Vini Cardoso with the volunteer crew of Howth RNLI after he returned to Howth having completed his 6 week coastal running challenge.
Vini set off from Howth Lifeboat Station on 2 August and over the past six weeks has visited every RNLI lifeboat station on the coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland, covering thousands of kilometres. He completed his journey at 12 noon on Saturday, where he was greeted by friends, supporters, and the volunteer crew at Howth RNLI.
Speaking at the finish line, Vini said:
“This has been the toughest but most rewarding challenge I’ve ever faced. From wind and rain to long, lonely stretches of road, there were days when I doubted if I could keep going – but I remembered the crews of the RNLI who head out in all conditions, day and night, to save lives. That kept me moving forward. I’m proud to have run every step for them and to support the lifesaving work they do right around our coast.”
Rose Michael, Chairperson of the Howth RNLI Fundraising Branch, thanked Vini for his commitment:
“What Vini has achieved is remarkable. To run around Ireland visiting every RNLI lifeboat station along the coast is no small feat, and to do it in support of the charity makes it all the more special. Every euro raised will go directly towards funding the training, equipment and lifeboats that our volunteer crews depend on to save lives at sea. On behalf of Howth RNLI and the wider charity, I want to thank Vini for his incredible effort.”
Ronan Murphy, volunteer lifeboat crew member with Howth RNLI, who first encouraged Vini to take on the challenge, added:
“When I suggested the idea to Vini, I never imagined he’d take it on with such determination. It’s been amazing to follow his journey and see the support he’s received at lifeboat stations all around the island. Yesterday we were proud to welcome him home and celebrate not just his achievement, but the impact he’s made for the RNLI.”
The RNLI is a charity that relies on voluntary donations to continue its lifesaving work. Funds raised by Vini’s challenge will support RNLI stations across Ireland, helping to ensure that volunteer crews can continue to launch to those in need.
For more information on supporting the RNLI, visit RNLI.org.
ENDS
RNLI/Tom Ryan
Howth RNLI Lifeboat crew member Ronan Murphy with Vini Cardoso
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
