Crew members at eight lifeboat stations are getting new lifesaving kit thanks to RNLI supporters who took part in the Vote that Counts. Organised by the People’s Postcode Lottery charity, the competition gave supporters a chance to cast online votes for their favourite cause. The RNLI came second, securing £10,000 towards kit for volunteers at St Davids, Looe, Blackpool, Brighton, Lowestoft, Tobermory, Loch Ness and Porthcawl (pictured). In total, 14,368 people voted for the RNLI. The overall winner was PDSA – for pets in need of vets – which won £50,000.

The funds will help cover the cost of vital lifesaving gear that doesn’t come cheap: an all-weather lifeboat crew member’s helmet costs £194, a pair of wellies costs £42, and an all-weather lifejacket costs £350. An inshore lifeboat crew member’s drysuit costs £319, their lifejacket costs £330 and a pair of gloves costs £10.

‘The public's lives are in our hands, and our lives are in the hands of our kit,’ said Mark Turrell, Helmsman on the Thames-based Chiswick crew, who represented the RNLI when the funds were handed over. ‘We need kit to keep the water and wind out, and we need to know it's fully serviced. We're thrilled to win this money, and touched by the public's support. It will benefit stations from Loch Ness to Lowestoft.’