Fine Littlehampton fund-raising evening helps to save lives at sea

FINE food and bubbly booze helped raised an impressive £3,500 in one night.

The Lifesavers Supper, in aid of the Littlehampton lifeboat station, was held last week, at The Fish Factory.

The ticket-only event was organised by lifeboat fund-raiser, Malcolm Somner, chairman of the fund-raising committee for Littlehampton and Arundel RNLI, and his team of volunteers, as well as Andy Sparsis, who runs the East Street, Littlehampton, restaurant,

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Speaking on behalf of the RNLI, Emma White said the event had been enjoyed by more than 80 people including Lady Mary Mumford, president of the Littlehampton Lifeboat Station.

Another special guest of honour was Peter Cheney, chairman of the branch, and one of the founding members of the Littlehampton Lifeboat station.

“Due to people’s generosity, a massive £3,500 was raised, including funds raised from festive RNLI goods on sale in the restaurant all week.”

The evening saw guests enjoy a champagne and canapés reception, followed by a “sumptuous” fish supper, said Emma.

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The evening also featured entertainment from a three-piece band.

“It finished with an outstanding array of auction lots and raffle prizes generously donated by businesses in the local area,” added Emma.

A lifeboat station was first established in Littlehampton in 1884. The purpose-built boathouse cost £300, and was based near what is now Harbour Park, though it closed in 1921.

The modern-day lifeboat station was established in 1967, and its new D-Class inshore lifeboat was the first to be funded by BBC’s Blue Peter Appeal, which took place the year before.

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The original Blue Peter 1 was housed in a small boathouse, which was replaced a few years later, and today’s Blue Peter I arrived around the same time as the unveiling of the new station, at Fisherman’s Quay, in 2005.

For more on the station, go to www.littlehamptonlifeboat.co.uk

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