Four-Year-Old Raises Hundreds for RNLI With Christmas Run

A four-year-old RNLI fan has spent December clocking up miles to help raise funds for lifesaving work at sea.

Reindeer Run Challenge

The RNLI has been encouraging supporters to take on the Reindeer Run Challenge by running 24 miles across December, even if that is just a mile a day. Four-year-old Alice Bigham decided to get involved and has been steadily adding to her total throughout the month.

Alice has been fundraising to support RNLI volunteers and, by Christmas Eve, had raised more than £300.

📷Alice Bigham raised £300 for the RNLI during her Reindeer Run Challenge. Pic: Phil Monckton/RNLI

Christmas Eve Finish in West Cornwall

On Christmas Eve, Alice completed her latest mile by walking from the Penlee Lifeboat Shop in Penzance to the Penlee Lifeboat Station in Newlyn.

She was met at the lifeboat house by coxswain Patch Harvey, who arrived specially to see her. Alice was joined by her mum and dad, Michelle and Vaughan Bigham, and during a chat over a cup of tea she handed Patch a Christmas card addressed to the whole crew.

📷Patch Harvey and Alice Bigham raised £300 for the RNLI during her Reindeer Run Challenge. Pic: Phil Monckton/RNLI

A Special Lifeboat Visit

Alice, who comes from Stithians near Truro, was also given a guided tour of the station’s Severn Class lifeboat, Ivan Ellen, with Patch showing her around.

Patch was awarded a silver medal in 2022 for the rescue of a yacht. Like Patch, Alice will receive her own RNLI medal after raising more than £125 during her Reindeer Run.

Alice’s Christmas fundraising effort has already made a big difference, with more than £300 raised in just one month.

📷Alice Bigham raised £300 for the RNLI during her Reindeer Run Challenge. Pic: Phil Monckton/RNLI