AS chairman of the Farnworth, Kearsley and Bolton branch of the RNLI, and on behalf of the committee, I would like to thank the people of Bolton who, during the Seaside Festival, donated more than £2,000 for the lifeboats.

I would also like to thank everyone involved in the planning of this very successful event which coincided with our flag day.

Many people who gave money may like to know a little about the RNLI, which is a voluntary organisation that exists to save life at sea. Since its foundation in 1824, over 136,000 people have been rescued.

It provides, on call, the 24-hour lifeboat service which covers the entire coastline of Britain and Ireland. There are 230 lifeboat stations, 321 lifeboats on station and 131 additional lifeboats in the relief fleet.

Lifeboat crew members are volunteers, teachers, engineers, fishermen, doctors. Men and women from all walks of life are lifeboat crew members. In addition to their everyday jobs, they are ready to exchange the comforts of home for cold, wet, fatigue and possible danger.

Whatever the weather, or the time of day or night, distress calls are always answered. So, on behalf of the crews, a big thank you to Bolton people.

Tom Ridyard

Chairman of Farnworth,

Kearsley and Bolton

Branch of the RNLI