A NEWLY married couple asked for their wedding gifts to go to the lifeboat service.

Pete and Carol Shewell, who got married on September 3, asked guests in their wedding invitation to donate to Newhaven RNLI, who have struggled with no fundraising events in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Both Pete and Carol are event coordinators for the Newhaven RNLI, so witnessed the struggle first-hand with limited opportunities for fundraising during the last year and a half.

Carol said: “Instead of having gifts, we asked people to donate what they would have spent to the Newhaven RNLI.

“We have a JustGiving page and asked people to donate by card or cash on the night.

“We have raised just over £650 at the moment but we would like to do when we can is present a cheque to the coxswain on the boat.

“We want to have me with my wedding dress, Pete with his suit giving the cheque over.”

The Argus: On their wedding day.On their wedding day.

Their special day saw Carol walked up the aisle a second time by Stormy Stan, the RNLI mascot, at the wedding party.

Carol added: “Stormy Stan actually gave me away in the evening, we got married in the afternoon but in the evening we did the ceremony all over again and Stormy Stan walked me up.”

Their wedding invitation urged guests to “make a donation to our lifeboat rather than buying gifts” for the couple.

It also said: “We don’t have a gift list, as we are lucky enough to have all we need and just wish to enjoy our special day.

The Argus:

“2020 was a tough year for everyone, and our local lifeboat saw a huge rise in shouts as people flocked to the coast. Sadly, our usual antics in our fundraising events had to be cancelled so there has been a huge drop in funds raised.

“The RNLI depends totally on volunteer donations and so we would love to raise some money to help our beloved Newhaven Lifeboat and her Crew, to continue to save lives at sea.”

For more information, visit their JustGiving page.