A local tour guide known only to residents as 'Mr T. Rex' is to run 25 kilometres in a dinosaur costume to raise money for Exmouth RNLI.

The pandemic has seriously affected the charity's fundraising efforts, with an estimated 70% decrease in donations in 2020 compared with the previous year.

Despite this, the RNLI has continued to offer its services, with its volunteer crew attending as many as 79 emergencies off the coast of Exmouth in 2020 alone.

Mr T. Rex said: "The RNLI do a wonderful job and have been affected by the current situation with their fundraising.

"To help this amazing service I will be running 25 kilometres, or 15 and a half miles.

"Mr T. Rex has great admiration for the jobs the volunteers at the RNLI do and wants to help.

"Unfortunately, he can't help by being crew and saving people in danger, and as he can't swim because he's a dinosaur he has decided to help in other ways."

Starting at 9am on Saturday 3 April from the Lifeboat Station, Mr T. Rex will run around Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. He aims to finish in under three hours but expects to be slowed down by the costume.

He continued: "You can follow us on Facebook @MrTrexDevon for videos of how I am getting into shape for the run, and live updates on the day of where I am on the route so you can say hello and give me a wave.

"We will have collection buckets on the run so if I pass your house or workplace on the route and if you want to give a donation you can do so or you can also donate on my JustGiving page.

"Please give as little or as much as you can and help me reach the target. The RNLI do such an amazing job and are mainly all volunteers.

"They spend hours at sea and risk their own lives for anyone in need or in trouble in the waters and around the coast, and we should all be proud to have such an amazing service."

So far, he has raised £190 for the RNLI. He aims to raise £500.

If you would like to donate, click here.

If you would like to fundraise, please email the Chair of the Exmouth RNLI Fundraising Committee, Des White, at [email protected]