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Witney record

Autumn's first stall raised a magnificent £550 outside Waitrose in Witney. A record for branch collections in the town.

Money being donated into a collection box

Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard

The sum tipped the £6K mark for the year, bringing the £7K aim for 2024 firmly in sight.

Chair Dave Thompson says: "We may be the farthest branch from the sea but the support of the general public remains as strong as ever."

Helping man the stall was Dave's son Chris, who helped create the RNLI Faringdon website back in the day and is now in England again after a three-year stay in New York as a playwright and script writer.

Dave says: "It's great to have Chris on board. We're looking forward to working together and with the rest of our volunteers."

Also helping outside Waitrose were Roger Battley. John Makeham and Tim Hayes with sister Steph.

Tim was back with Dave three days later at a National Trust gathering in Abing-don where RNLI governor Gareth Morris spoke on the history of the Institution and afterwards the branch sold merchandise, raising another £155.

It's Abingdon again outside Tesco on November 23 followed by the last stall of the year. by Tesco in Faringdon on December 7.

Says Dave: "We're looking forward to a big finish - and breaking the £7K mark.

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

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