Exmouth RNLI fundraisers are celebrating their most successful Open Day ever having raised over £1,500 towards the launch and recovery vehicle for the new Shannon class lifeboat which is due on station early next year.
Don Hodgkinson, who holds two titles, Chairman of the Exmouth Lifeboat Fundraising Committee, and Exmouth Boathouse Manager said;
‘It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining and there was a constant stream of visitors all day. Tours of the Mersey class lifeboat Margaret Jean did not stop from when we opened at 10am until we finished at 4pm. It’s a great day out for families who love to see what it is the volunteer crew do and get up close to the lifeboats.
We were busier than we’ve ever been. All the cakes sold out and we were left with only 6 jars of jam! In total we raised £1566.77, more than previous years and this will go towards funding the new Shannon Class launch and recovery vehicle which is due in early 2014.’
The event took place on Sunday (18 August) with a team of dedicated fundraising volunteers’ who organised a host of activities and stalls to create a fun day out for the whole family. Including an exercise with the volunteer D Class lifeboat crew and the charity’s lifeguards, tombola, bric-a-brac stalls, raffles and more. The volunteer Sea Safety team also provided free advice and a lifejacket clinic.
Words by Amy Caldwell, Press Officer for the South West.
Photos by Geoff Bowen, Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteer.
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