The fundraising appeal to buy Burnham’s new rescue hovercraft has received a major boost this week.
A black tie ball held to money towards the cost of buying the craft for BARB raised a huge £15,000.
Over 140 people supported the event, held at the Batch Country Hotel in Lympsham, which was jointly organised by Burnham Rotary Club and BARB.
£5,000 was raised from the sale of tickets and an auction – and a huge £10,000 was donated on the night by Retreat Holiday Park in Burnham-On-Sea.
Mark Newman, BARB Chairman, said: “This event has delivered a massive boost to our fundraising campaign and we are incredibly grateful to Burnham Rotary Club and Retreat Holiday Park for all their support.”
“A huge £50,000 has now been raised in total, so our end goal of £60,000 is now very much in sight. One final push will get us our new hovercraft.”
“Special thanks go to the ball’s organisers Jim Tancock, the President of Burnham Rotary Club, and BARB’s Michael Lowe and Angela Fey for all their work.”
Retreat Holiday Park’s Roger Jackson said: “BARB provides a wonderful service that keeps local people and holidaymakers safe.”
“We previously supported BARB with a donation in 2003 when the Spirit Of Lelaina fundraising campaign was underway and are very happy to help again with a £10,000 donation.”
Burnham Rotary Club’s President Jim Tancock added: “We are absolutely delighted that such a big sum has been raised for such a worthwhile cause. The event went very well and we had strong support from members.”
Members of Burnham Rotary Club and bosses from Retreat Holiday Park handed over the money to BARB at the Battleborough Grange Hotel on Thursday evening (April 15th).
BARB, an 18-year-old charity, operates two rescue hovercrafts and an inshore rescue boat. More details about to help BARB and get involved with fundraising are available at Burnham-on-sea.com/barb.
The fundraising campaign is being run in conjunction with the Western Daily Press newspaper.
Pictured (top) is the cheque presentation with Burnham Rotary Club members and Burnham’s Retreat Holiday Park on Thursday evening and some of those present at the fundraising ball
