RNLI receives £90,000 donation from nuclear group

It costs an average of £1,266 each year to train a volunteer crew member

A £90,000 donation made to the RNLI will be used to train volunteers in west Cumbria, it has been announced.

The money from Nuclear Management Partners, which will be given in three grants, will be used to fund training at Workington and St Bees stations.

Graham Campbell, general manager of the group, said the lifeboat and its volunteer crew were an invaluable part of the community.

It costs an average of £1,266 each year to train a volunteer crew member.

Mr Campbell added: "Lifeboat volunteers selflessly serve the community, irrespective of their own safety, and this money will ensure that the not inconsiderable training costs for both RNLI lifeboat stations will be covered for at least the next three years."

Workington RNLI coxswain John Stobbart said: "This generous donation shows an incredible commitment from NMP to the lifeboat service in Cumbria in what are clearly difficult times and, on behalf of everyone at the RNLI, I really can't thank them enough."

Nuclear Management Partners is a consortium comprising American company URS, British company AMEC and AREVA from France, who own and operate Sellafield Ltd.