MORE than �86,000 was raised for the RNLI last year, the annual meeting of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station was told.The meeting was held at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston when June Fuller, station and Ladies Guild treasurer reported �86,564 had been raised by various activities, donations and legacies reporting that finances of the guild and the station were in “a very healthy state.

MORE than �86,000 was raised for the RNLI last year, the annual meeting of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station was told.

The meeting was held at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston when June Fuller, station and Ladies Guild treasurer reported �86,564 had been raised by various activities, donations and legacies reporting that finances of the guild and the station were in “a very healthy state.”

However, she reminded the 90-plus people at the meeting that it might be more difficult to find support this year because of the economic downturn.

Branch chairman Jim Carter explained his role in the running of the station and how much work he had put in with the crew during the year as well as giving talks and chairing management meetings.

Lifeboat operations manager Neal Duffield told the meeting it was very busy station and occupied an important position in the eastern area for rescue missions - the third busiest station in the eastern region, which stretched from Cleethorpes to Lymington, but did not include the Thames.

He reported the all-weather lifeboat the Samerbeta had been called out 15 times during 2008 and the inshore lifeboat, the Seahorse Four, had been called out 45 times. The station has 24 crew members and three short helpers.

Station mechanic and deputy coxswain Paddy Lee maintained both lifeboats to the rigorous standards demanded by the RNLI.

Guild chairman Carol Horne, reported that many events had been held locally to raise money.

As well as the Lifeboat Ball, which had raised over �10,000, a golf day had been very successful and a hog roast and auction at the home of president Chris Dicker had also brought in a lot of money.

Store, street and house-to-house collections all contributed to the successful outcome for 2008. Potters Leisure Resort had hosted a musical extravaganza in March and this had given the branch over �8,000.

The lifeboat shop was operating under the guidance of vice-chairman Cheryl Hacking and Ginny Fox, and the souvenir shop was open now for the summer, with the longer opening hours increasing sales and profits.

Mrs Horne welcomed coxswain Steve Bartram and his crew and thanked them for their bravery on the inhospitable North Sea, and thanked guild members and shop volunteers for their hard work.

President Mr Dicker also thanked the crew, officers and committee for the work they had put in during the year and wished them well for the future.