Paul Washbrook

Past the Distance But Not Finished Yet

Somewhere along the way, i've surpassed the official distance for the RNLI Mayday Mile challenge.

What started as a commitment to walk a mile a day throughout May has gradually turned into much more than that. The walks have become part of my daily routine, time to think, reset, and remind myself why I signed up in the first place. I've even lost some weight! 

And thanks to the incredible support from friends, family and colleagues, I’ve not only exceeded the mileage target, but also surpassed my fundraising goal.

Honestly, I never expected this level of encouragement or generosity.

Despite hitting both milestones early, I’m not stopping. There’s still plenty of May left. The RNLI’s crews don’t stop once they’ve done “enough”, and in a very small way, that consistency has become part of what this challenge means to me.

So the miles will keep adding up for the rest of May.

And if the challenge has shown me anything, it’s that small, consistent efforts really do add up to something meaningful.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported, donated, shared or encouraged me along the way. It genuinely means a lot.

It's just a mile

One Day to Go

Just one day to go until I start the RNLI Mayday Mile.

It’s come around quickly, but I’m genuinely looking forward to getting started now. What seemed like a simple idea a few weeks ago has built into something I’m excited to take on, a mile a day, every day throughout May.

Tomorrow it begins, the first mile on the board.

Thanks again to everyone who’s supported so far. If you’d like to get involved, I’d really appreciate it.

Let’s get going.

Why I’m Taking on the RNLI Mayday Mile

If you spend enough time on or around the water, you develop a deep respect for it. Whether it’s the quiet calm of an early morning sail, the adrenaline of watersports, or simply being out in the elements, the sea has a way of reminding you who’s really in charge.

That’s exactly why organisations like the RNLI matter so much.

This May, I’m taking part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile — a month-long challenge starting on 1st May — to help support the crews who are ready to launch at a moment’s notice, in any weather, at any time of day or night. The idea is simple: cover a mile a day throughout May.

While I’ve fortunately never needed their assistance myself, I’ve seen RNLI crews in action in less than favourable conditions, and it leaves an impression. Heading out when others are heading in, dealing with rough seas, poor visibility and unpredictable situations. 

I’ve also had the privilege, through my time as an RYA instructor, of teaching some of their crew. That experience gave me an even greater appreciation of the professionalism, dedication and quiet competence that underpins everything they do. These are people who train hard, take their responsibilities seriously, and then put that into practice when it matters most.

The Mayday Mile is my way of giving something back. Over the course of May, I’ll be clocking up at least a mile a day — walking, running, or however I can fit it in — and raising funds to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

If you’d like to support the cause, any contribution, big or small, genuinely makes a difference. And if you’re near the coast this summer, take a moment to appreciate the people behind those orange lifeboats — they’re the reason so many stories on the water end well.

Thanks for reading, and for any support you can give.