Boat named Rusper at village school

Village resident Pam Waugh funded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat with her friend Anita Greenwood, and named it after her home village.

The boat is being retired from service in Rock and marine engineer Jinx Hewitt wanted to bring her to Sussex because of her name and connection.

Jinx said: “We felt it was important to bring Rusper back to the community that she is associated with.”

Rusper has done ten years of service in the village of Rock in Cornwall, with 237 service calls and more than 1,000 training sessions.

Jinx is one of 20 lifeboat volunteers in Rock, including policemen and teachers.

Rusper Primary School was the first port of call on the lifeboat’s mini tour, and was used to educate the kids about lifeboating.

Pam said: “We thought who’s going to enjoy it, so we thought this was a good place to come.

“We are really promoting the lifeboats to the kids.”

Pam added that retirement was not the end for Rusper, which may stay on in Rock for station relief or flood emergencies.

Rusper could also be sold on to another county, but Pam said the lifeboat will still be used in some capacity.

Rev Nick Flint gave his first ever assembly from a boat at the school.

He spoke to the children about Jesus and the sea of Galilee, which he said seemed appropriate.

The lifeboat was also out on High Street, Rusper, on Saturday morning.

RNLI rescues 22 people a day, and relies on donations for 92 per cent of its income.

To donate to RNLI or fund a lifeboat go to www.rnli.org