Deanland support for Eastbourne Lifeboats reaches landmark
Deanland support for Eastbourne Lifeboats reaches landmark
Lifeboats News Release
Residents of the Deanland Wood Park retirement village at Golden Cross have been enthusiastic supporters of Eastbourne RNLI lifeboats for many years. With yet another donation their contributions have now reached the staggering £20,000 landmark.
The mammoth fundraising effort was initially instigated by veteran supporter Frank Wellbelove, who has been an RNLI Governor for over 30 years, along with and his wife Jane. Together they have organised countless raffles and special events over the years that have been held at the Deanland on-site ‘Inn on the Park’ with all profits going to Eastbourne Lifeboats. Catering Manager at the Inn, Debbie Toms, and her young family have now taken over the mantle, with Frank still assisting by looking after the accounts and acquiring the raffle prizes. At the latest presentation, held aboard relief lifeboat
‘Frank and Anne Wilkinson’,Debbie and Jane handed a cheque for £925 to Coxswain Mark Sawyer, Operations Manager Carl Pocock and lifeboat mechanic Guy Emery. Debbie’s twin sons Cairan and Callum with youngster Ralph, who all help with the raffles, completed the party. Despite this remarkable effort Frank is adamant that he will continue raising money to ensure Tamar class lifeboat ‘Diamond Jubilee’
andinshore D-Class lifeboat ‘Laurence and Percy Hobbs’can continue their lifesaving work in Eastbourne. The mammoth fundraising effort was initially instigated by veteran supporter Frank Wellbelove, who has been an RNLI Governor for over 30 years, along with and his wife Jane. Together they have organised countless raffles and special events over the years that have been held at the Deanland on-site ‘Inn on the Park’ with all profits going to Eastbourne Lifeboats. Catering Manager at the Inn, Debbie Toms, and her young family have now taken over the mantle, with Frank still assisting by looking after the accounts and acquiring the raffle prizes. At the latest presentation, held aboard relief lifeboat
‘Frank and Anne Wilkinson’,Debbie and Jane handed a cheque for £925 to Coxswain Mark Sawyer, Operations Manager Carl Pocock and lifeboat mechanic Guy Emery. Debbie’s twin sons Cairan and Callum with youngster Ralph, who all help with the raffles, completed the party. Despite this remarkable effort Frank is adamant that he will continue raising money to ensure Tamar class lifeboat ‘Diamond Jubilee’
andinshore D-Class lifeboat ‘Laurence and Percy Hobbs’can continue their lifesaving work in Eastbourne.
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 146,000 lives.
