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Due to Covid restrictions on large gatherings, supporters have a whole month, at a time of their choice, to complete the three and a half mile course between Lytham and St Annes boathouses – and Fylde comedian Phil Walker joined members of the crew in taking up the challenge on the opening day.

But they certainly weren’t the only ones, as two youngsters set a grand example by raising more than £1,000 in sponsorship by covering the course on the opening morning of the month – then after lunch they did it again.

Evie Booth, aged nine, and her five year-old brother Thomas are great fans of their uncle, lifeboat crew member Will Bridge.

Thomas (age five) and Evie Booth (nine) with their cousin Freddie Bridge (22 months), son of crew member Will Bridge, showing their support for their fund raising at start of Lytham St Annes RNLI's Leg It for the Lifeboats fund-raiser 2021

Lytham St Annes RNLI crew's head-start for month-long fund-raiser

Digby said: “A huge thank you to them both, the whole station was amazed at their fund raising and obvious enjoyment in doing so.”

Lytham town crier Colin Ballard and his St Annes counterpart John Barnes signalled the start from the Lytham boathouse for Phil Walker, crew members and a group of other early participants.

Locally-based Paralympian Shelly Woods also showed her support.

Fylde-based comedian Phil Walkjer with RNLI mascot Stormy Stan and other participants at the start of Leg It For the Lifeboats at Lytham RNLI station

Phil said: “It’s a great charity and deserves our support. The RNLI crew do a great job and I hope lots of people will take part through the month.”

Leg It For the Lifeboats raised almost £12,000 last year and to help this year’s participants choose a date which suits them best, Lytham St Annes RNLI has come up with a series of themed weekends through the month.

It’s ‘Light Up For Leg it’ from sunset on Saturday, May 8 when participants are invited to get involved using items such as glowsticks, bike lights and torches.

Monday will see the Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew walk and shanty their way along the course from 7pm and on May 15 and 16, it’s Doggy Leg-It, the opportunity to take your pet along on the run, complete with a doggy bandana from the RNLI shop.

RNLI crew members at the St Annes boathouse after completing the three and a half mile run from Lytham

May 29 and 30, rather than the previous weekend as advertised earlier, will see an invitation take part in fancy dress, club gear or uniform and on May 31, the final day will see the crew and their families taking part.

A Lytham St Annes RNLI spokesman said: “We were so grateful for the wonderful amount raised last year. It was far more than we anticipated or hoped for.”

There is no need to register for the event. All the RNLI asks is that participants take some photographs at the start and finish and share them at the Lytham St Annes RNLI Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages. Donations can then be made to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LegItfoLytham2021

More details at www.lythamlifeboats.co.uk/legit.html or by emailing Alison Young, [email protected]

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Leg It for Lifeboats month-long fund-raiser off and running