Preparations are under way for the return of one of the Isle of Man’s most popular community events — the Tower of Refuge walk.

This year’s walk will take place on Sunday, April 27, with organisers once again encouraging people of all ages to take part and help raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The event is organised by Douglas City Centre Management and sponsored by Tower Insurance, which has supported the walk for more than a decade.

The Tower of Refuge sits on Conister Rock in Douglas Bay and was built in 1832 at the suggestion of Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI and a former member of the Douglas lifeboat crew. It was designed to offer shelter to crews of vessels shipwrecked on the nearby reef and remains one of the island’s most iconic landmarks.

As the tower can only be reached on foot during particularly low tides, the walk is dependent on specific tidal conditions and is held on select days each year. Since it was first introduced in 2012, it has become a much-loved fixture in the island’s calendar, attracting thousands of participants over the years.

This year’s event will begin at around 5.45pm, with walkers asked to access the beach via the steps at the Bottleneck car park between 5.45pm and 6.10pm. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads and cleaned up after.

Douglas City Centre Manager Oliver Cheshire said: ‘Since first being organised in 2012, the annual walk has become an integral staple in the community calendar with thousands of people participating.

‘This is very much a team effort and our partnership with Isle of Man Coastguard and Tower Insurance is greatly valued. A big thank you to both organisations and the stewards. We look forward to seeing everyone next month and, while we hope the weather is fine, urge everyone taking part to wrap up warm as it’s always cooler out there than you’d expect.’

Emmet McQuillan, managing director of Tower Insurance, added: ‘As a proud Island business that looks out over the Tower every day and has sponsored the walk since it began, we have seen how enjoyable it is for so many and what a wide appeal it offers.

‘We hope to see as many people as possible on the 27th of April supporting the tireless work of the RNLI.’

Last year’s walk, held in April 2024, took place under glorious evening sunshine and saw dozens of people make the short journey across the sand to the tower.

Volunteers from the RNLI were on hand to offer assistance and collect donations for the charity, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024.

Organisers are reminding participants to wear suitable footwear and clothing, and to follow guidance on the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Funds raised will go towards supporting the RNLI’s vital lifesaving work around the island and across the British Isles.