Around 3,400 people took part in this year’s Tower of Refuge walk but only two returned engaged.

Richard Mylchreest, 35, proposed to Sam Lindsey-Birchall, 38, on Conister Rock…and Sam accepted.

The surprise for the future Mrs Mylchreest was arranged with a little help from the Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas, Councillor Carol Malarkey and Councillor Sara Hackman, Douglas Borough Council and Douglas Development Partnership, organisers of the escorted walk sponsored by Tower Insurance as a fundraiser for the RNLI.

Douglas town centre manager Michelle O’Malley said: ‘This was the first time in the event’s three years that, to our knowledge at least, there’s been a proposal of marriage out on Conister Rock. We can only hope that a proposal “on the rock” means that Sam will soon be wearing her very own “rock”, a sparkling engagement ring.

‘It’s tremendously encouraging that three years on the level of interest in the Tower of Refuge is still so high. Our thanks go to all those who supported the event, especially Tower Insurance for their continued sponsorship, and with the number of people taking part reaching more than 3000 we’re delighted the event raised ?3059 for the RNLI.’

Ms Lindsey-Birchall said: ‘Rich and I would like to say a massive thank you to Douglas Development Partnership and Douglas Borough Council for helping to arrange this.  I was absolutely stunned at the time and had no idea what Rich was planning. We haven’t set a date for the wedding but I think it’s fair to say that April 1st 2014 will be a date we’ll never forget. It was an epic moment in our lives.’

Photo - Richard Mylchreest proposes to Sam Lindsey-Birchall. Picture Andrew Barton.