Big donations boost Dart lifeboat station appeal

Dart RNLI wants to convert Ferry View House into a modern lifeboat station

A fundraising campaign to build a new lifeboat station in Devon has got nearer to £1m after two big donations.

Dart RNLI said it has received £250,000 in a grant from the Julia Rausing Trust, along with a cheque for £2,000 from money raised by Guy Pannell during his final year as South Hams District Council chairman.

The donations took the total amount raised for the appeal to £850,000, moving it closer to its £1.2m target, organsiers said.

The appeal is aiming to raise money to convert Dartmouth's Ferry View House, which was Dart RNLI's original lifeboat station in the 1800s, back into a purpose-built station with modern facilities.

John Butler, acting chairman of Dart RNLI’s fundraising committee, said the crew was delighted to have the boost to its fundraising appeal.

"This is no mean feat, and is thanks to the incredible support of our local community and fundraisers, as well as generous legacies and donations from charitable trusts and foundations," Mr Butler said.

Dart RNLI, whose current station is in Coronation Park, said building work at the site started in July and it was hoped the project would be completed by next summer.