Lifeboat appeal aims for final push to target

Mar 25 2009 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

HOYLAKE’S RNLI lifeboat station has reached the midway point in its £2m appeal.

The charity announced this week that the appeal to help fund a new lifeboat station and lifeboat for the Wirral town has reached £1m.

High profile support has come from James Bond star and actor Daniel Craig, who grew up in the area and wrote the foreword for the latest appeal brochure.

He said: “When you consider in Hoylake lifeboat’s 200 year history, the lives it has saved and therefore the families it has kept together, its importance needs no embellishment but its continued success needs our support.”

The RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Appeal, launched 18 months ago, aims to raise £2m by the end of 2009 and remains a long way from its ultimate target, said RNLI senior fundraising manager Audrey Farr.

She said: “We are so grateful to all those who have supported us so far and helped us raise this wonderful amount but now we have to keep the momentum going and raise a further £1m.

“We know that many people and companies are feeling the pinch at the moment and possibly don’t have as much spare cash as they would like, but as a charity that depends on public donations, everyone at the RNLI knows how generous our supporters can be when we ask them for help.

“The appeal has already helped fund the new RNLI Hoylake lifeboat station and the crew are enjoying the benefits of their wonderful new home.

“Now, we are focusing on raising money for a new all-weather lifeboat which will help the dedicated RNLI Hoylake volunteers get to a casualty faster and bring them home safer.”

Support for the appeal has come from all areas, and from a wide range of people and organisations.

Children have donated pocket money, schools have held events and firms have made donations.

Sainsbury’s at Upton have made the appeal its charity of the year and Hoylake lifeboat crew themselves have taken part in many events and collections to boost the coffers.

Hoylake RNLI coxswain Dave Whiteley said everyone on the lifeboat crew has been overwhelmed by the support the appeal has received.

He added: “Fund-raising is much harder work than going out to sea to rescue people and I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has supported the appeal.”

Hoylake’s current Mersey class lifeboat, Lady of Hilbre, is nearing the end of her operational life and its replacement will be better equipped.

TO contribute to the appeal, call 0845 650 3999, log on to www.rnli.org.uk/hoylakeappeal or send a donation to RNLI Hoylake Appeal, Admail 4049, Hoylake, CH47 1AA.