Appeal to raise funds for Dart RNLI’s new lifeboat station reaches milestone
The fundraising appeal to raise vital funds for a new lifeboat station for Dart RNLI has reached just over £490,000, 40% of its target of £1.2million.
An appeal was launched last year to raise £1.2m to convert Ferry View House, the original lifeboat station in the 1800s, into a purpose-built station with modern facilities for Dart RNLI’s volunteer crews.
An incredible £35,000 has already been raised by the local community through a variety of events over the summer, including an evening reception at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, Dartmouth Orchestra’s 25th anniversary concert, Dittisham Regatta and Dittisham Music Festival, donations from local yacht clubs and street collections in the area.
A substantial amount of income has also come from generous legacies and donations from charitable trusts and foundations, taking the total to just over £490,000, which is 40% of the overall appeal target.
Bob Gilbert, Fundraising Chair at Dart RNLI, said: ‘We’re delighted to update our supporters that we’ve raised just over 40 per cent of the money needed for the conversion of Ferry View into a suitable lifeboat station for Dart RNLI.
‘We’re eternally grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way so far, from people who have supported us locally at fundraising events, to those further afield who have donated to our appeal. It’s been a busy time for us organising fundraising events and celebrating generous donations, and there’ll be more opportunities to support our appeal over the winter months.’
The current lifeboat station in Coronation Park is a temporary building at the end of its lease, so to continue saving lives, the crew need to relocate to a permanent, purpose-built station, with suitable facilities for the lifesaving volunteers.
Planning permission has already been granted to convert the building into a lifeboat station. The project will include providing first floor level space and a new extension to house the D class lifeboat and provide modern crew facilities. It is hoped building work will begin in spring 2024, the same year the RNLI celebrates its 200th birthday.
Bob continued: ‘This new lifeboat station will provide improved facilities for our crews and cement the RNLI’s future in Dartmouth and the Dart Estuary, for years to come.
‘Our appeal will continue to run throughout next year and into 2025, as we strive to raise as much as possible towards the renovation cost. Please support us however you can, we’re working on a variety of fundraising events for the future so watch this space for more information and how you can get involved.’
For more information on the appeal and to donate visit: https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/dart-local-appeal
We’re still looking for new volunteers to join the team at the Dart RNLI Visitor Centre. For more information visit https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2023/july/26/new-volunteers-needed-at-dartmouth-rnli-visitor-centre
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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