Birthday boy Ben, 3, in RNLI cash donation

Louise Flood, Fraser Stuart (one of Bens friends who donated money and the stations Deputy second Coxswains son), Ben Flood (3) and David Forshaw (volunteer RNLI Head Launcher)

Ben Flood, three, from Lytham, donated £70 to Lytham St Annes RNLI last week.

Last year, when he turned two, he also made a cash donation to the charity

Ben, his mum Louise and friend Fraser Stuart, also three, visited the Lytham St Annes RNLI station to hand over the donation.

Louise said he had had plenty of toys and gifts to enjoy and wanted to give the money to help the lifeboatmen.

She added: “I think the RNLI is such a deserving cause as the volunteers are willing to risk their lives in their roles in order to help others.

“One of Ben’s friend’s fathers is on the crew here and it really brings it home just how courageous the volunteers are.”

A cheque for £70 was presented to the station’s volunteer head launcher David Forshaw after Ben and Fraser had explored the Her Majesty the Queen Mersey lifeboat.

Mr Forshaw added: “I think it’s important to learn at a young age that donating to charity is a kind thing to do.

“We’re really grateful as a station that Ben chose us as it’s only through the generosity of donators that we are able to do what we do.

“He is very keen and passionate about the RNLI.”