The Times & Star has joined forces with the RNLI to get the west coast a new lifeboat.

Our Lifeboat Appeal, supported by Sellafield Limited, aims to raise £150,000 towards a new £2 million lifeboat for the area.

It will serve almost the entire west coast from Drigg to Port Carlisle.

Based at Workington Lifeboat Station, the new Shannon class will replace the Sir John Fisher, which has been in service since 1992.

It will reach the end of its operational life next year and will be replaced by the next generation all-weather lifeboat.

A £1 million legacy left by Dorothy May White will go towards paying for the new boat and the Sir John Fisher Foundation, which helped pay for the existing lifeboat, has given £500,000 towards the boat.

Pat Smith, chairman of Workington RNLI fundraisers, said: "We and the crew have lots of events planned over the coming months ranging from a fashion show and a Shannon shindig event through to a fishing competition and a sponsored cycle ride.

"Everyone is really excited and we’re hoping that people will get behind our appeal by attending our events, popping some spare change into one of our collections or by sharing any innovative fundraising ideas that they may have."

There are several ways you can help.

  • Holding an event, like a coffee morning, fun day or having a get together? Do it for the Lifeboat Appeal!
  • You can donate directly to our JustGiving page here
  • You can text to donate too! Text RNLI WORKINGTON to 70300 and donate £5 to the RNLI.

Your text will cost you the standard network message rate in addition to your £5 donation.

The RNLI receives 100 per cent of your £5 donation.

The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Registered charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

  • Thinking of doing a sponsored event? We'd love it if you supported the Lifeboat Appeal. Tell us what you're doing for the Lifeboat Appeal, we'd love to feature you in our pages. Call Ben Graham on 01946 595147 or email news.ts@cnmedia.co.uk