Weston-super-Mare RNLI volunteer crew auction themselves at the annual Dinner Dance

Each year the RNLI fundraisers of Weston-super-Mare hold a Dinner Dance to raise money. This year the event was enhanced by members of the Lifeboat Crew auctioning their services to the audience.

The annual RNLI Dinner Dance in Weston-super-Mare is an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves while supporting the work of the RNLI. It is organised by the fundraising branch and open to all. This year, as in the recent past it was held at the Commodore Hotel in Kewstoke and an excellent meal was had by all. Guests of honour included the Weston Town Council mayor Cllr David Hitchens with his wife and Zara Davis the World Speedsailing record holder who is a keen supporter of the local RNLI lifeboat station. The entertainment was by the singer David Ford.

After the meal the draw took place for a large number of raffle prizes all of which added to the total amount raised that night.

One of the tables at the dinner was composed of a number of the volunteer crew based in Weston plus their wives and partners. As soon as the raffle was completed the Lifeboat Operations Manager, Peter Holder, announced that several of the crew, who were skilled tradesmen, had offered to auction some of their time to the highest bidder. A plumber, carpenter and two electricians were auctioned as was a trip in the Bristol Channel on the power boat belonging to another crew member. This surprise auction added nearly £300 to the total amount raised that evening.

Pete Elmont, chair of Weston-super-Mare RNLI Fundraising Branch said, ‘We are all volunteers but it always makes me feel humble that the crew, who answer the call at any time to save lives at sea and who train twice a week in all conditions can still find it in them to give more of their time to help raise funds for our charity. The dinner has been a great success made even greater by their generosity’

The picture shows The RNLI Fundraisers with the Mayor and Zara Davis