Surf survival brothers complete RNLI run challenge

A pair of surfing brothers who were saved from the sea by the RNLI have completed a gruelling month-long running challenge to raise funds for their rescuers.

Euan and Andrew Gray have each run a half-marathon everyday in May - clocking up 406 (653km) miles apiece - to thank the Cullercoats RNLI crew for saving their lives in May 2025.

The brothers from Gateshead got stuck in a rip current at Tynemouth, with Euan subsequently becoming the face of the RNLI's national Float to Live campaign.

They have raised more than £6,700 for the RNLI and were joined for their last run by some of the Cullercoats crew.

"I'm feeling on top of the world," Euan said shortly after crossing the finishing line.

"Emotionally I feel amazing but my legs are relieved it's over, I will be doing absolutely nothing tomorrow."

They were met at the end by a large crowd of well-wishers, with their online fundraiser nearing its £7,500 target.

"We have had so much support, it's been incredible and we did not expect it," Euan said.

Cullercoats crew member Miles Brown was on the call-out to rescue the brothers and joined them for the final 15km of their challenge.

"We do not expect to see people again after we have helped them, so for these lads to become the face of our campaign and try to help others who end up in a similar situation is just incredible," he said.

Sarah Whitelaw from the Cullercoats crew also joined the final run and praised the brothers for raising funds but also, more importantly, awareness of water safety.

"They have made a terrible situation into something really positive and are now doing the best thing they can which is to pass on advice to others," she said.

"With their actions they are helping us save lives," she said.

She also said the fact they were two fit young men capable of completing such a running challenge showed anyone could get in trouble in the sea.

The brothers had got caught in a notorious rip current, a powerful channel of water flowing out to sea, at the south end of Longsands beach in May 2025.

Both used the float manoeuvre advocated by the RNLI to give them time until the lifeboat from Cullercoats could get to them.

To float, people should:

• Tilt their head back with their ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move their hands and feet to help them stay afloat
• Not panic if their legs sink, everyone floats differently
• Practise floating in a swimming pool

Anyone spotting someone in difficulty in the water is urged to:

• Phone 999 to get help
• Tell the person to stay calm and float on their back
• Throw rescue equipment to help them float until emergency services arrive

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