Anglers land more than £1,000 for Hunstanton RNLI
Sea anglers who took to a freezing beach for a charity fishing match reeled in more then £1,000 for the charity that saves lives at sea.
They were casting their lines in the Phil Bird Memorial Match - a competition staged in memory of Phil who was a bait digger, keen angler and RNLI supporter, who passed away at the age of 49 in 2005.
Charlie Needham, who organised the match in memory of his friend Phil attended Hunstanton lifeboat station on Sunday, 4 January to present a cheque for £1,110 to the crew.
Charlie - whose dad Geoff is one of the longest-serving volunteers at Hunstanton - said: 'All fishermen should support the RNLI. You never know when you might need them.
'It's a vital thing up on the coast, it's as simple as that.'
The match has now been staged eight times, raising more than £4,000.
Yet despite the impressive fundraising haul, 2025 will not go down in the annals of angling as one of its better years when it comes to bites.
'That was cold and the fishing wasn't up to much, we had about 30 whiting, that was all,' said Charlie. 'But I expect we'll be back again this year.'
Hunstanton RNLI treasurer Jacky Merralls said the lifesaving work of the crew and more than 200 like them would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI Image
Charlie Needham, rear, left, reels in a cheque for £1,110 with the Hunstanton crew.
Credit RNLI/Chris Bishop
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