Secret donor gives lifeboat crews £100,000

2:10pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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An appeal to raise £1 million for a new lifeboat station has reached a major milestone thanks to a generous mystery donor.

The female donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has handed over £100,000 to the RNLI in support of the Shoreham Lifeboat Station Appeal.

The woman, from Sussex, wrote to the RNLI to say how impressed she was by the dedication of its volunteer lifeboat crews and gave the charity a £100,000 gift.

In a heartfelt letter, the anonymous donor said: "Recently I had the opportunity to take a trip out on the Shoreham Lifeboat and meet the volunteer crew.

"It was really inspirational to find a team of volunteers who are not only so committed to helping others but seem to really enjoy what they do.

"We are all busy people, but for some reason the volunteer crews still give up their own time and go to sea, without any financial reward, and consistently put their own lives at risk. And what for?

"Not to save the lives of their own loved ones or people they know. It is to save the lives of people they have never met before and, chances are, will never meet again."

The appeal aims to raise £1 million towards the cost of a new station and boathouse in the town.

Shoreham's existing station, which was built in 1933, is unable to cope with the weight of a modern lifeboat.

The donation brings the total of the appeal up to £250,000.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can telephone 0845 1214999 or visit rnli.org.uk/shorehamappeal.

Alternatively post cheques to RNLI Shoreham Appeal, Admail 4071, Shoreham, BN43 5ZU.