Knitting party boost for RNLI (From Western Telegraph)

Knitting party boost for RNLI

9:13pm Friday 10th June 2011 in St Davids

A KNITTED royal wedding party has helped raise essential funds for the RNLI.

St Davids RNLI volunteer Roger Smith set up an online appeal to raise cash for the charity, after discovering that the crew’s personal protective equipment cost more than £900.

With help from family and friends, Roger raised more than £1,130 for the RNLI.

Roger said: “The RNLI provides the very best training and equipment to enable volunteers like myself to do our job in the safest possible way.

“As a crew member, I am only too aware that this obviously costs money and as a charity. It’s essential that the RNLI continues to raise funds to continue saving lives at sea.

“It is important that as crew we also assist with any fundraising and hopefully this will encourage other members of the public to look at how they can also support our crews.

“I am amazed at the amount my online appeal raised and I would like to thank everyone who made it a success.”

Joyce Watkins and Aileen Oliver from De Clare Court, Haverfordwest, were among supporters raising funds.

Aileen knitted cuddly toys of the Royal Family at the Royal Wedding, which she later raffled with proceeds going to Roger’s target.