Telegraph helps launch 'Tea for Ten-by' appeal (From Western Telegraph)

Telegraph helps launch 'Tea for Ten-by' appeal

PEMBROKESHIRE people will be justly proud of Tenby's new lifeboat station when it is commissioned, and a number have expressed interest in helping to contribute towards the project.

Now, there is a chance for everyone to become involved in raising funds and showing support for the RNLI.

A Pembrokeshire appeal is being launched to try to raise £20,000 - a task not as daunting as it first appears. Local residents have already amassed £7,532.40, with Haverfordwest Rotary Club's Texaco-supported 'Prom in the Park' contributing £3,000; a cheque for £2,660 coming from a 2003 London Marathon stunt run; a £500 legacy and over £1,000 amassed from sponsored swims and other kind donations. The most recent of these was £200 from Virtual PA (Pembs), raised by a Dragon Boat Challenge.

To help swell the total, the RNLI is asking as many people as possible to invite ten friends to tea, charging £1 per head. The 'Tea for Ten-by' idea will be sociable and fun. Now is the chance to prove to your acquaintances that the days of small cucumber sandwiches and dainty cakes have not gone for good! Anyone and everyone can join in, and if you prefer a coffee morning instead, you could always collect donations in your largest teapot.

Staff at the Western Telegraph set the trend on Friday, when they took part in a tea break with a difference. Relaxing with an array of delicious cakes and a welcome cuppa, they donated not £10 but £55, and challenge all readers to follow their example.

RNLI representative Jennie McIntosh joined them for the party and thanked everyone for staying to take part, in spite of the heavy snow, and for raising such a wonderful sum. Proceedings were enlivened further with a free raffle and the lucky winners were Gordon Thomas, sports editor, and Tim Gould, advertisement manager.

Jennie is hoping that enthusiastic supporters throughout the county will follow the Western Telegraph's example. She will be delighted to hear from anyone holding an event and to receive the money for the fund. She can be contacted on 01834 812125 or at Braeside, East Williamston, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8RU.

News of the tea parties and their donations will appear regularly in this newspaper and, if your preferred tipple is beer, another great idea for pubs and clubs to join in will be explained soon. All are asked to raise a cup (or glass) to the great work of the RNLI and its volunteer crews!

PICTURED: RNLI representative Jenny McIntosh joined Fiona Phillips (Western Telegraph editor) and staff. Standing, Evette Eardley, Sam Mason, Melanie Dawe, Fiona Phillips, Jenny McIntosh, Ted Goddard, Jon Elliott, Steve Adams. Seated, Liz Cartwright, Ally Betteley, Emma Jones, Liz McGlynn, Jean Bulmer and publisher David Evans.