THERE was a fund-raising event in Church Stretton to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Although Shropshire is land locked many people from the area will take a holiday on the coast of the UK each year.

The Institute is heavily dependent upon voluntary donations to fund its fleet of lifeboats, both seagoing and inshore at stations all around the country.

Lifeboat crews and voluntary and made up of men and women from fishing and coastal communities that are on call to respond to any incidents as they arise.

Although the RNLI works alongside the other emergency services it is entirely independent of both the Coastguard and Government. It was founded in 1824 and also has an education programme.