A team of them have signed up to take part in a gruelling 10 kilometre race called the Winter Wolf Run which sees competitors battle it out through mud and water and over obstacles.

They hope to raise around £1,000 to help the charity, which is based at River House in Broom, Warwickshire, prevent UK drownings.

Members of the public are invited to sponsor them to take part in the event at Sandford Hall in Leicestershire on Sunday November 2.

RLSS UK has forged close links with the Redditch community since local teenager Richard Fellows drowned while swimming in the River Arrow in March.

The 15-year-old’s family has worked with the charity to raise awareness of the dangers of swimming in open water.

The staff taking part in the Wolf Run are RLSS UK’s director of lifesaving Adrian Lole, accounts administrator Sarah Winkworth, campaign manager Karen Welsh, junior business analyst Shem Samuda, lifesaving administrator Faye Williamson and junior awards processor Sian Adair.

Hannah Smith, PA to the charity’s chief executive and her husband James will also compete, along with Lee Heard, RLSS UK’s national youth engagement officer, and his wife Carla.

Accounts administrator Sarah Winkworth, who organised the team, said: “I’ve taken part in the Wolf Run before and it’s tough but fun.

“I know other members of staff are interested in fitness so I suggested we do it together as a team to raise funds.

“We hope members of the public will sponsor us because all the money will help RLSS UK prevent drownings.”

The charity’s chief executive Di Steer added: “It’s wonderful to see so many of our staff and their families give up their free time to take part in this event.

“Around 400 people die needlessly from drowning in the UK every year and thousands more suffer injuries, some life-changing, through near-drowning experiences.

“Our aim is to cut the number of deaths and the money they raise will help us do that.”

Click here to sponsor the RLSS UK team.