RNLI fun day's £5.5k boost to Shannon fund

The event, scheduled to coincide with the annual St Annes Kite Festival, featured stalls, games, children’s rides, face painting and a bouncy castle along with a last chance to board the current lifeboat Her Majesty The Queen before it is replaced by a state-of-the-art Shannon craft next year.

The money raised will go towards the £275,000 appeal to help pay for the new craft, to be named Barbara Anne, the bulk of the £2.2m cost of which is being covered by a bequest from an RNLI supporter based in Hampshire.

An RNLI spokesman said: “Thanks to everyone who came along and supported the open day.

“The rain meant the attendance was down a little on previous years but it was still a very successful day and we are delighted with the total raised.”