Walsall man's donation funds new lifeboat for RNLI

An RNLI supporter from Walsall has funded a new lifeboat in the name of his sister and best friend – after deciding he wanted to see its benefit now rather than wait for his will.

David Cole from Bloxwich has donated the boat to the service in Burry Port in Carmarthenshire. A service of dedication was held in Wales at the weekend where the D-class inflatable lifeboat was named in honour of his sister Hilary and best friend, Diane Shirley. It replaces a lifeboat bought by another Walsall RNLI member Bill Bache from 2003.

The 65-year-old, of Lichfield Road, said he had been a member for a number of years and wanted to support the important charity.

"I'm a member of the RNLI in the Walsall branch and you're always asked if you can leave something in your will to the RNLI, so I thought I would do that," he said.

"But then I thought because I had the money to hand, why not do it now rather than once I'm gone? This way I can enjoy the boat.

"When you want to sponsor a boat you speak to the RNLI centrally and say what type of boat you want to sponsor. They will suggest a location as they know what boats are retiring and where they need a new one. We wanted it to be a reasonable drive from the West Midlands and they suggested this part in Wales."

The retired projects manager in computing added: "It will be in service for probably 10 years and I can go and visit the port, see the crew, who are a friendly bunch and keep a track on its use.

"You can call a boat what you like and I thought it would be nice to name it after the two most important ladies in my life.

"It is a charity that is dedicated to saving lives at sea. Most of us go to the seaside or have friends that visit and you never know when people might need the service."

Hugh Owen, from RNLI Burry Port, said: "David was very emotional to see his boat being launched for the first time.

"It is an emotional thing to see your boat launched that is going to save lives, David is extremely generous."

By Craig Hughes