An Exeter schoolgirl super-fan of Exmouth RNLI has smashed a run challenge for the charity for the second time.
Ivie Simkiss-Cowtan, aged eight, has raised more than £300 by running a mile each day over the last month, taking part in the RNLI Mayday Mile challenge.
On Sunday (May 30) she ran a mile in Exmouth, joined by some of the town’s RNLI crew, where she was cheered over the finish line by the mayor and the charity’s mascot.
Ivie, aged eight, was accompanied on her final run by her dad and some of the Exmouth RNLI crew.
Photo: RNLI/Exmouth RNLI.
Ivie, who was presented with an RNLI teddy, signed by the crew as a thank you for her fundraising efforts, first took part in The Mayday Mile challenge five years ago, when she was three years old.
The youngster, who one day hopes to join Exmouth RNLI, has already set her sights on next year’s challenge for the charity.
The youngster completed her month-long challenge with a run on Exmouth seafront.
Photo: RNLI/Exmouth RNLI.
Geoff Mills, volunteer crew member who joined in the last leg of the run, said: “Ivie is amazing. She absolutely loves the RNLI charity and takes a real interest in the work that we do.
“She has boundless energy and gave us a real workout. She is already talking about signing up for the challenge next year and joining the crew when she is older.”
The youngster set off from the town’s lifeboat station, running to Orcombe Point and back.
Exmouth RNLI super-fan Ivie was congratulated by the crew.
Photo: RNLI/Exmouth RNLI.
To mark her final day of the challenge Ivie was joined by her dad and RNLI crew, some wearing full kit of dry suit, helmet and lifejacket.
When she returned to the lifeboat house, Ivie was met by family, friends and the Exmouth RNLI crew.
The youngster, aged eight, is pictured here with RNLI mascot, Stormy Stan.
Photo: RNLI/Exmouth RNLI.
A spokeswoman for Exmouth RNLI said: “Ivie and her team sprinted across the finish line, greeted by the RNLI mascot, Stormy Stan, Exmouth mayor, Graham Deasy, and cheers from friends, family and additional members of the Exmouth RNLI crew.
“Stormy Stan presented Ivie with a gift from the Exmouth RNLI team – a teddy bear created this year to commemorate 25 years of the RNLI lifeguarding service.
“Her fellow runners also signed a crew teddy bear, that Ivie brought with her for support, as a memento of her seafront run this year.”
To donate to Ivie’s challenge, see here.
