I’m fundraising for the RNLI to help power brave lifesavers to the rescue
In October, Iain and Jen will be running the Manchester Half Marathon to raise money for the RNLI.
Here's why from Jen:
In October 2018, my dad, Alistair Collier, went missing at sea during a sea kayaking race. He was fit, experienced and prepared. He had the right equipment, there were safety marshals, and there was a planned route. Yet despite all of that, he disappeared.
What followed was one of the largest search operations of its kind in the region for over a decade. The next 24 hours were some of the most difficult of my life. Family, friends and volunteers searched the coastline. The story spread across social media and made national news.
At one point, while standing on a cliff during the search, I heard news reports stating that a body had been recovered from the sea. A body, not a person. The report was wrong, but in that moment my world stopped. I dropped to my knees, convinced the worst had happened.
Then I looked up.
Out on the water were the RNLI lifeboats. Bright orange against the sea, still searching, still refusing to give up.
And I remember thinking: if they're still out there, there's still hope.
The RNLI crews are volunteers who leave their families, jobs and lives behind at a moment's notice to help complete strangers. They don't know whose child, parent, partner or friend they're searching for. They just go.
Eventually, my dad was found, who tragically died at sea.
The following day, we met with the volunteer crews who had helped search for him. They were exhausted. They were distraught. These were complete strangers who had never met dad, yet they shared our devastation. They had given everything they had in the search for him.
That is who the RNLI are.
When I think about the RNLI, I don't think about politics. I think about humanity. I think about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for someone they've never met.
Recently, I've seen criticism directed at this incredible organisation and the volunteers who put themselves in harm's way to save lives. I thought about adding my voice to the criticism, but instead Iain and I have decided to do something positive.
Because these are the people who gave my family hope when there was none. These are the people who searched tirelessly for my dad. These are the people I sat with the next day, sharing grief despite being complete strangers.
And these are the people facing backlash, hostility and hate?
Not on my watch.
So let's raise hope, not hate. Let's support the organisations that put human beings before politics. Let's stand behind the volunteers who answer the call, whatever the weather, whatever the hour, and whoever needs help.
This October, We'll be running 13.1 miles to support the RNLI and help ensure they can continue saving lives at sea and giving families the same hope they gave mine.
If you're able to donate, no matter how small the amount, we would be incredibly grateful.
Thank you.
In memory of Alistair Collier, and in support of the RNLI.
My Achievements
Fundraising page
Increased fundraising target to £250+
Updated Profile Pic
Added a Blog Post
Receive 5 Donations
Reached Goal
Increased Target
Thank you to my Sponsors
£294.37
John Stuart Wild
£72.18
Anonymous
£55.88
Stuart And Liz
Good luck both of you from mum and me.
£55.88
Stuart Bell
£55.88
Jennifer Collier
£55.88
Neil Calvert
£55.88
Beth Gray
Good luck
£55.88
Neil & Emma
£55.88
Anna Lp
Amazing cause! Good luck to you both, you’ve got this!
£55.88
Rob Collier
Go on, Dems and Iain
£55.28
Katerina
Thanks for sharing! ❤️ This really resonates with me. Some years ago, while windsurfing, the conditions changed incredibly quickly and I ended up struggling in rough seas before being rescued by a lifeguard. It was a frightening reminder of just how quickly the sea can turn dangerous, even when you think you’re in control. Rescue teams do an incredible job and absolutely deserve more support!
£50
Lindsay And Jason
£50
Vicki Barker
Proud of you always 🩵
£50
Vicki And Leigh
Wishing you all the best. What a great cause to fundraiser for and I know it's close to your heart. Love you lots. Xxx
£33.83
Sheridan Johnson
£33.83
Katie
You’re amazing 💜
£30
Jason Danks
Good Luck!
£28.44
Geraldine Tovey
£28.44
Hannah Mcnulty
Good luck legends! You’re amazing x
£28.44
Nigel
The muppets will never understand, keep striding forward.
£25
Sophie Rayner
Good luck Jen and Iain!
£23.45
David Faulkner
The world was a better place with Alistair in it. Sadly missed.
£23.45
Elizabeth Brock
RNLI were incredible that day for us, and are incredible every day for so many more. Well done for running and raising money xxx
£23.45
Joy Hudson
Good luck with the run and fund raising xx
£23.45
Gabi Williams
My too hotttt (hot damn) queen, so proud of you xxx
£23.45
Belinda Haig
£23.45
Aishah Baz
YOU ROCK. Love you and proud of you always
£23.45
Jonny Goggs
£23.45
Eleni D
Best of luck to you both, I hope you smash your target!
£23.45
Lenny
What an incredible cause, by incredible people, in memory of an incredible person. Best of luck xx
£23.45
Ben Hayes
Smash it out of the park peeps! Best of luck. ❤️💪
£23.45
Pally
In memory of your dad and the incredible work if the RNLI. Best of luck with the marathon.
£23.45
Liam Fretwell
Good luck guys!! Send us all the piccies afterwards :)
£23.45
Kayleigh' Kinsella
Youve raised your goal and then some! Congrats!
£23.45
Tara Lowson
Best of luck not that you’ll need it !!! 🏃♀️🏃💨💨💨
£23.45
Richard Warne
£23.45
Ozgenur Surmeli
£23.45
Abbey
Rockstars! Hope Pitbull is on your running playlist 🩷
£23.45
Liz Williams-hubbard
Good luck Jen! An extremely worthy cause. With love from Liz, Ben and Bert
£23.45
Eleanor Warne
£21.10
Chris Morris
Good on you both, a great cause.
£20
Bernadette Wilkinson
We hope you both enjoy the run, totally support your cause, the world is going mad
£20
Jonathan Levy
Good luck!
£20
Jonathan Poole
Enjoy the run if you can . Excellent cause you’re running for and you have raised an amazing amount you both should be deservedly proud. WELL DONE!❤️
£20
Ben Wilkinson
Enjoy the run, guys!
£20
Carys Webster
Darling Jen and Iain, sending all my love and support for what you’re doing for this incredibly worthy cause
£20
Helen Procter
£20
Jean Harland
£15
Angela Fenney
£15
Jemma Lakmaker
YOU GOT THIS
£13.10
James Robertson
£12.25
Lauren Hutchinson
Well done both - your Dad would be very proud of you, Jen x
£12.25
Sim Kaur
You are amazing Jen, you are going to smash it!!!Good luck Ian!
£12.25
Anonymous
In memory of your dad x
£12.25
Jenny Lloyd
£12.25
Faye Taylor
Best of luck to you both. Such a great cause
£12.25
Steph Hemsley
Such an incredible cause, good luck with the race 💙
£12.25
Anonymous
£12.25
Rebecca Holdstock
Good luck you pair of Legends! Go smash it, lots of love the Holdstocks 🥰👊🏻🤍 xx
£12.25
Ian And Candy Elliott
In memory of a lovely man fellow paddler and friend from Ian and Candy Elliott
£10
Andie
Great running for a great cause - well done both of you!
£10
Anonymous
Love you <3 proud of you
£10
Lisa Trunks
Well done Jen - enjoy it!!!
£10
Celia Poole
Well done Love Grandma
£10
Jocelyne King
£6.56
Sarah Newham
Enjoy the run. Such a great cause. X
£6.56
Very well done both of you. A great cause. ❤️