IT HAS been a record-year of fundraising for the dedicated volunteers at Minehead’s RNLI station. 

RNLI volunteers have notched up their biggest ever sales figures at the lifeboat station’s shop on the harbour – partly thanks to a television series.

The till rang up well over £42,000 in 2016 as takings profited from improved lines of merchandise and the profile-raising effect of the BBC’s four-week Saving Lives at Sea summer series, which focussed on the work of the RNLI at some of its 230 stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile, fundraising for the RNLI in the area also set a new record with events and donations bringing in £47,600, making a total of almost £90,000 for 2016.

Ann Tilbury, RNLI shop manager, said the sales total – several thousand pounds more than the previous best figure – could not have been achieved without the dedication of those who run the shop from April to October and over winter weekends. 

“Visitors are always delighted to find the shop open when they visit the station and having someone on hand to talk to them about the boats, the crew and how the whole operation works clearly adds to their experience,” she said.

“Fundraising in general saw a marked upturn last year after the BBC documentaries were screened and we’re delighted another series is planned for this summer.

“We’ve also had lots of feedback from people who helped run the shop for the first time in 2016 as to what an enjoyable experience they found it.”

“All we ask of our volunteer staff is a couple of hours a fortnight and if they don’t have a partner then we’re more than happy to pair them up with someone – and we will give them full training.”

The total raised from donations and events staged by the station’s own fundraising group last year was £14,300 up on 2015 and means fundraising in the local area now covers more than half the Minehead station’s annual running costs.

Minehead RNLI chairman Bryan Stoner said: “I know it’s hugely gratifying for the crew to know that so many local people are keen to fund the invaluable work they do.

“It takes a particular level of dedication and determination to take a lifeboat out in some of the conditions we encounter and I’m immensely grateful that people are now acknowledging that in a practical way.”

After trading over half-term the RNLI shop opens daily from March 18 through to October 29. Anyone interested in helping can contact Ann Tilbury on 01643 707147 or at anntilbury1@btinternet.com.