INTREPID lifesavers from the Tower lifeboat crew have climbed up the first of the five peaks they are scaling in 48 hours to raise money for a new boat. They climbed Ben Nevis in just four hours and 15 minutes – 45 minutes ahead of schedule and have to s

INTREPID lifesavers from the Tower lifeboat crew have climbed up the first of the five peaks they are scaling in 48 hours to raise money for a new boat.

They climbed Ben Nevis in just four hours and 15 minutes - 45 minutes ahead of schedule and have to scale other mountains in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the next few hours.

They to raise enough money to buy two new lifeboats - which come in at �400,000 each.

The crew include Richard Abbot who is a volunteer lifeboat crew member and Paddington firefighter, Kelly Allen RNLI staff member, Matt Leat from the Tower lifeboat crew Helm, Keith Cima, a volunteer lifeboat crew member and Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Antonia 'Toni'

Scarr who is volunteer lifeboat crew and Marine Advisor for the Environment Agency.

They are supported by Bill Callaghan, a volunteer lifeboat crew member and Yeoman Warder at the Tower, Eamonn French who is a RNLI Bronze medal winner and recently retired after 21 years lifeboat service and Mick Nield from the Tower lifeboat station Helm who are doing the driving and cooking.

So far this year the Tower lifeboat crews have saved 11 people and one dog from drowning in the River Thames and have been called out on the river 140 times.

They have had 2,940 call outs since 2002 and saved the lives of 191 people and one dog.

Follow the team's progress at http://rnli-5peaks.blogspot.com/ and sponsor them via www.justgiving.com/RNLI-5peaks.