New push for £2m Hoylake RNLI appeal

Apr 16 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Hoylake and West Kirby News

WIRRAL is being urged to get behind a bid to raise £2m for a new lifeboat and lifeboat station for Hoylake RNLI.

Crew and supporters received the best possible Christmas present with news their appeal had reached £500k by December. The total now stands at £575,000 – and fundraisers are trying to keep up the momentum, with a series of exciting events planned for the summer.

The initiative aims to raise the money to help provide Hoylake lifeboat crew with the essential facilities and equipment needed to carry on saving lives at sea.

Work on a new lifeboat station started in September and it is hoped the target will be reached by the end of next year.

RNLI senior fundraising manager Audrey Farr said: “There’s still a long way to go and we need to keep the focus going. We can’t be complacent – we really do have to maintain the momentum and the public support is so important.

“The crew are all dedicated volunteers. They put their lives on the line every time they launch the lifeboat and they deserve the best equipment and support we can give them.”

On April 20 a champagne brunch is being hosted by West Kirby Sailing Club and fundraisers are hoping to hold a reception with the Royal Navy in the run-up to the tall ships event as well as a summer ball in West Kirby.

However, the main fundraising is a raffle for a Volkswagen Polo.

One of the youngest fundraisers for Hoylake lifeboat is Jack Watson, 10, of Frodsham, who climbed Moel Famou in North Wales, raising £450.

Hoylake RNLI coxswain Dave Whiteley said: “Jack has done a fantastic job raising this money and we all want to say a very big thank-you to him.

“His dedication and enthusiasm should be a great example to other people, who we need to get behind the appeal if we are to raise the £2m we need to help fund our new lifeboat station and provide a new lifeboat at Hoylake.”

The foundation stone for the new station will be laid on April 22.

l To help, or find out about future fundraising events, visit www.rnli.org.uk/hoylakeappeal, call 0845 650 3999n or send a donation to RNLI Hoylake Appeal, Admail 4049, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 1AA.