RNLI volunteers have smashed their fundraising target for St Davids’ new lifeboat station.

At the close of the appeal last week they had collected an incredible £214,000 towards the £10 million facility.

The community appeal was launched in July 2014 by Welsh sporting legends Ian Welsh and Gerald Davies, with a target of £150,000.

Gerald and wife Cilla were instrumental in gaining support for the appeal, while Ian and daughter Amy organised a golf day which raised a fantastic £10,000.

The biggest bequest – a surprise £80,000 donation was made in memory of Captain Bleddyn James, a local man who knew from personal experience the importance of respecting the water. The generous donation was made by Ella James in memory of her brother Captain James, who passed away in July 2013 at the age of 91.

Special thanks has also been given to William Chadwick from Abergavenny who volunteered as auctioneer during a fundraiser in November last year. RNLI fundraising branches also pulled out all the stops with Cardiff, Usk, Harrow Branch, Crew and Nantwich all helping to reach the ambitious target.

The boathouse project, which is well underway, includes a new RNLI Lifeboat station and slipway for the £2.7 million Tamar-class lifeboat with additional space to accommodate the smaller D-class inshore lifeboat.

The boathouse will include modern facilities, including a drying room for kit and better provision from crew training and equipment maintenance. There will be better access to the new station which is important for the delivery of equipment and, more importantly, for the evacuation of any casualties brought in by the lifeboat.

Jen Abell, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager said: “Our fundraising appeal at St Davids has exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the generosity of a community fundraising appeal towards the new St Davids Lifeboat Station, we are delighted to announce how well the appeal has gone. We have been overwhelmed by support from the public and would like to thank everyone who has given so very generously to provide our volunteer crew with this modern new facility.”