Fundraising competition to name Lyme Regis RNLI's yellow welly dog
What to do with the Lyme Regis lifeboat crews' worn out yellow wellies was the puzzle for long serving RNLI volunteer Garry Gibbs.
Landscape gardener Garry took the redundant footwear home to his workshop to turn the old wellies into a fun fundraiser.
And eight hours and seven boots later the result was a dog-shaped model which will become a star attraction during lifeboat week this summer. Garry, a member of the lifeboat crew for 22 years, said: 'A dog seemed the obvious answer to the recycling issue with the old wellies. I hope to make another animal when more old wellies become available.'
Now, organisers of Lyme Regis lifeboat week - starting on July 28 - are planning to run a competition to name this very rare breed and to raise funds for the RNLI charity.
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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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