Donate now

Triple boost for Minehead’s RNLI lifeboat station appeal

Lifeboats News Release

As building work begins, a number of ‘significant’ individual donations have been made towards the £1 million cost of upgrading Minehead’s historic RNLI lifeboat house.

RNLI volunteers say they are delighted that three donors have already come forward to offer their support for a scheme which will deliver a range of much-needed improvements to the 120-year-old building.

Among the generous donors are Andrew and Lynn Richmond from Surrey who chose the RNLI as the recipient of a lifetime donation. Their donation will fund the station office and a dedicated mechanic’s workshop space. Andrew says;

‘The RNLI is largely run by volunteers who are prepared to go out at a minute's notice in all weathers to save lives and they need all the support they can get.

‘We chose to support the Minehead Appeal because we had enjoyed holidays there and loved the area. We believe our donation will help make the Minehead crew operate in a better and more efficient way and will reduce the all-important launch times. Whilst we have never had to call on the RNLI it is reassuring to know that they are on call should we ever need assistance.’

Remodelling and enlarging the station – a listed building - will reduce response times and provide vastly improved facilities for the volunteer crew, who operate a 24-hour rescue service and respond to between 30 and 40 emergency calls a year along more than 30 miles of the Somerset and Devon coastline from Hinkley Point in the east to Lynmouth in the west.

A local appeal fund has been opened with the aim of raising a quarter of the building cost from within the West Somerset community. While Covid restrictions have so far prevented the organising of any large-scale public events, several fundraising initiatives are already underway including plans for a Lifeboat Day and attendance at other local events.

But Minehead RNLI Chair Richard Newton says the three large donations would add huge impetus to the race to reach the local target.

‘They have come from individuals who have read about the conditions the volunteer crew currently have to cope with at the station and want to make a significant gesture towards ensuring the improvements are put in place with the minimum of delay,’ he said.

‘We are extremely grateful to all three for their generosity.’

Both Minehead’s lifeboats – an Atlantic 85 rigid inflatable and a D class inflatable – are state-of-the art craft but facilities at the station itself are not fit for purpose and there is an urgent need for more space.

Female crew members currently have to get changed in a storage cupboard; there are no showers; and the crew training room is far too small to accommodate all the 30-plus crew at once.

Remodelling will see the station extended westwards onto land the RNLI has bought from the local authority, with the ground floor extension enabling the creation of a crew changing room with showers and a separate female crew changing space, a dedicated mechanics’ workshop and a souvenir shop.

But one of the most important improvements will be the provision of a full-length boat hall at the rear of the building which will allow the D class – normally launched through the harbour - to remain permanently hitched to its tractor, enabling the crew to shave minutes off its response times.

Mr Newton said the station had always enjoyed excellent support from the local community.

‘Minehead people really appreciate the dedication of crew members who are prepared to put their own lives on hold to save the lives of others,’ he said.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can donate and fundraise in a number of ways;

They can visit the JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Minehead-RNLI-Lifeboat-Station-Appeal

Or they can make a direct donation to the appeal by contacting the fundraising team at Minehead RNLI who can provide on-line banking details or a postal address for donations. Call Liz Escott on 07877 952975.

Those who want to hold a fundraising event or activity can set up their own JustGiving page by visiting www.justgiving.com and clicking on the “Start Fundraising” button

RNLI media contacts

Further information from: Chris Rundle, Press Office, RNLI Minehead: 01643 703371/07786 630523 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Categories