Cornwall woman doing unique Mayday Mile challenge after her uncle died at sea
An ongoing injury means Natalie Jose is raising money for the RNLI in a different way
Last updated 25th May 2022
A woman from Cornwall is completing an alternative Mayday Mile challenge in memory of her uncle, who was lost at sea.
The RNLI's Mayday Mile usually consists of people running a mile each day of the month to raise money for the charity, however an ongoing injury means Natalie Jose is having to do it differently.
She is taking part in the challenge with her group 'Inverted Fitness', by committing to 30 minutes of aerial fitness a day this month.
It is to support the lifesaving charity and remember the bravery of teams when she lost her uncle in 2004.
Natalie said: "Although my uncle was sadly never found, I have always thought it is a completely selfless act volunteering for the RNLI, crews risking their lives to save others.
"Knowing that the RNLI are ready to rescue 24/7 is so reassuring if something were to go wrong".
In 2004, Natalie lost her uncle at sea when his fishing boat sank off the Lizard Peninsula.
Although two of the crew were rescued by the RNLI, sadly, Natalie's uncle was never found.
As a supporter of the RNLI and living by the sea in Cornwall, Natalie first took part in 2021 by running a mile each day.
This year, she has being advised not to run due to to an ongoing injury and so has decided to incorporate her business, ‘Inverted Fitness’, and its to take part in a ‘vertical’ Mayday Mile.
Natalie told us the charity will stay close to her heart: "My husbands got a boat, we've had jet skis, we've got a paddleboard, I go wild swimming so we spend so much time out on the water ourselves.
"We've got a little two year old who's obsessed, he's always trying to drive the boat or jump in.
"It's just nice and reassuring to know there's always someone there, should the safety measures go wrong".
All money raised through the Mayday Mile will continue help to provide the vital training and equipment that is needed to keep RNLI lifesavers safe at work.
To find out more about the Mayday Mile challenge, you can visit Natalie's RNLI webpage.