Although the Borough of Solihull Lifeboat Appeal formally closed in September of last year, money kept flooding in after that date and the total raised was £41,310.74.

The money will be used to purchase a new Atlantic 21 lifeboat to be stationed at Abersoch.

Apart from the hard work put in by the appeal committee, the ladies' lifeboat guilds of Solihull and Knowle and Dorridge, and the Marston Green branch, Solihull Council also donated more than £3,000 while the very successful Volvo car draw raised a further £9,000.

Richard Mann, regional organiser for Central England, (left) is pictured receiving a cheque from Clive Buckley, chairman of the appeal.

(Photo courtesy Birmingham Post and Mail).