RNLI team at Lyme Regis collect hundreds more than the �3,500 needed to buy new lifejackets for the crew

AN appeal to buy new lifejackets for the RNLI crew at Lyme Regis has sailed past its target.

Officials say they have received several hundred pounds more than the �3,500 they set out to raise.

And last weekend the fund was boosted by a further �1,500, thanks to donations at Seaton and Axmouth.

Lifeboat treasurer John Dover said: ”Organisations and individuals really took our appeal to heart and we soon reached the target.

“For example, one man just handed us a �20 note as he walked along the Cobb, and at the other end of the scale the Rotary Club donated �700 from the Lyme Lunge over Christmas. A bingo evening raised �800 and the pupils of St Michael’s School donated �115.

“We’ve acknowledged all the donations, of course, but we just have to say a mighty thank you to everyone and to assure them the money will be put to very good use, including training new recruits, at their local lifeboat station.

“The lifejacket appeal was crucial because the safety of our volunteer crew is paramount when they answer emergency calls.”

On Saturday a cheque for �1,000 was presented by the Seaton Sea Anglers, the result of a year-long fund-raising effort.

In recent years the anglers have donated a �5,750 to the RNLI.

Chairman Bernie Rosewarne said: ”The lifeboat volunteers have helped us out in the past, so we feel it only right that we should give them a helping hand.”

Bernie presented the cheque to John Dover at the anglers’ annual award ceremony at Winston’s, Seaton, and at the same time Woodfield Stores proprietors Clare and Chris Williams donated �50.

And on Sunday retired Millfield School teacher Dick Ransley, a member of the Axe Yacht Club, presented a cheque for �409 to the lifeboat crew. Mr Ransley chose the RNLI as his charity during his year as captain of the Millfield School Staff Golf Society, and the money was raised from ‘fines’ imposed on members.