The RNLI took on the running of Cowes Lifeboat Station on the Isle of Wight in 2008. Based in a small, temporary facility within Shepards Wharf Marina, Cowes lifeboat launched 41 times last year and rescued 49 people.

Now, we are planning to turn the town’s old Custom House building into a permanent and much more suitable station. The new station will be nearer the open sea, and the crews will reach casualties in the busy Solent stretch 4 minutes faster – which could be the difference between life and death.

Actress Celia Imrie, star of Acorn Antiques, Nanny McPhee and Cranford launched an appeal to raise the £1M required. She said: ‘All the crew are total volunteers, and it is absolutely wonderful to think that they are going to have a new station nearer the Solent.'

Visit rnli.org.uk/cowesappeal.