The RNLI is appealing to members of the public to pull on a pair of Wellington boots and take part in a fun walk, to coincide with the charity’s biggest national fundraising event – SOS Day 2010.

Members of the public are being encouraged to sign up one of four walks in Brighton, Eastbourne, Bracknell or Dorking on Sunday 31st January, to raise funds for the volunteer lifeboat crew members who regularly risk life and limb to save people in distress at sea.

Friday 29th January 2010 is the RNLI’s annual 'SOS Day', our biggest national day of fundraising, when people all over the UK and Republic of Ireland come together to raise funds for the RNLI. SOS Day takes its name from the international distress signal, Save Our Souls, and many fundraising events follow suit by taking inspiration from the three-letter acronym. With that in mind, the welly walk has been dubbed ‘Stroll On Sunday’, and fundraisers are hoping to recruit as many people as possible to take part.

The Brighton walk will start and end at Brighton RNLI lifeboat station at Brighton Marina, starting at 10.30am. It will be just over a mile in length, and is open to everyone from babies in pushchairs right through to older people. As it is on a completely flat course, the walk is suitable for everyone regardless, age, fitness or mobility.

The Eastbourne walk offers two choices - one more suitable for children, families and older people, and a slightly extended version for those wanting a greater challenge. The main walk starts at 11am from the RNLI inshore lifeboat station on the seafront, just behind the public tennis courts off Royal Parade. It will make its way along the seafront and end at the RNLI Museum and shop, at Western Lawns. For those wanting a bigger challenge, they can start slightly earlier at 10.15am from the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat station, further east along the coast at Sovereign Harbour.

The Bracknell walk takes place in Lily Hill Park. It has the backing of Bracknell Forest Council’s Mayor, Councillor Bob Wade, who has adopted the RNLI as his chosen charity for the year – indeed, the welly walk is hailed as one of the mayor’s official events. It will be around two miles in length and is open to everyone from babies in pushchairs right through to older people.

And the Dorking walk will take place within the picturesque grounds of Denbies Wine Estate, the largest vineyard in England. It will be approximately two miles in length and will take in some of the beautiful scenery of the grounds. Because of the hilly nature of the terrain, unfortunately the walk isn’t really suited for smaller children, pushchairs or people in wheelchairs. However, the breathtaking views offered by the Surrey Hills location more than make up for this.

Jenny Green, RNLI Senior Fundraising Manager, said: ‘The thinking behind the welly walks is to link with the iconic yellow wellies that our volunteer lifeboat crew members wear as part of their crew kit. But apart from that, it gives us an opportunity to do something colourful and fun for all the family, and to liven up what can often be a dull and dreary January weekend.

'Apart from that, there’s just something about the thought of a hundred people all kitted out in brightly coloured welly boots which brings a smile to the face!’

There is an entry fee in advance of £4 adults, £3 children, with no charge for children under five. Participants will also be able to enter on the day, which will cost £5 adults, £4 children. As well as the entry fee going towards the RNLI, participants may also wish to raise £40 in sponsorship – the cost of a pair of RNLI yellow crew boots for each of our volunteers. Each walk will also feature other attractions, for example beach and sea safety advisors and souvenirs on sale.

To find out more or register in advance for any of the welly walks on Sunday 31st January, people should contact the RNLI south east regional office in Uckfield on 01825 761466, or email RO/SE@rnli.org.uk More information on the ‘Stroll On Sunday’ can be found at the website www.rnli.org.uk/wellywalk  

The ‘Stroll On Sunday’ welly walk is just one part of the RNLI’s SOS Day, as all manner of other events traditionally take place. In keeping with the SOS acronym past examples have included barbecues (Sizzle Our Sausages), charity car washes (Soap Our Saloons) and dress down days in offices (Swap Our Suits), so the possibilities are endless.

RNLI media contacts For more information please contact Tim Ash, Divisional Media Relations Manager (South East and London) on 01825 747727 or 07785 296252, email tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789