A SOMERSET holiday park raised over 8,000 for the RNLI last year, helping local volunteers provide a life-saving service. 

Haven in Burnham-on-Sea raised the money through charity car washes, race nights, a mayday mile walk, barbecues and other games and activities. 

In total, the resort raised £8,068.95 for the charity in 2022. The first £5,000 went straight to the local RNLI station.

All money received by the RNLI station goes towards crew training and kit.

Somerset County Gazette: Bill Smith, Haven's head of experience, and Michael Beck, the park's former general manager, wash cars to raise money for the RNLI.Bill Smith, Haven's head of experience, and Michael Beck, the park's former general manager, wash cars to raise money for the RNLI. (Image: Speedcomms)

Bill Smith, head of experience at Haven, said: “Our partnership with the RNLI is imperative to the daily operating of our parks.

“The RNLI allows our owners and guests to be able to enjoy the coastlines along our parks safely.

“Many of the lifeboat charity’s stations are near our parks and we endeavour to support them so that the RNLI can continue doing the great work they do: saving lives at sea.”

Burnham lifeboat station costs around £70,000 to run each year. Its crew of volunteers and two inshore lifeboats were launched 14 times in 2022.

Steve Hulbert, senior commercial partnerships manager at RNLI, said: “200 years of lifesaving at the RNLI has taught us that every connection matters on our mission to save everyone.

“Haven’s commitment to our cause has been outstanding in 2022, and fundraising activities at their holiday parks has resulted in much needed record revenues.

“Our shared values of saving lives at sea and collaborating to create compelling campaigns that carry the RNLI’s key water safety messaging, have been integral to the partnership.”

Somerset County Gazette: Daren Rogers, John Dewing, Dan Fear, Jamie Webster and Phil Counsell outside the John Godfrey Morris caravan at Haven in Burnham.Daren Rogers, John Dewing, Dan Fear, Jamie Webster and Phil Counsell outside the John Godfrey Morris caravan at Haven in Burnham. (Image: Steve Richardson)

In September, a caravan at the holiday park was renamed in recognition of a former Burnham RNLI lifeboat.

The John Godfrey Morris was built in 1887. It was used in the rescue missions of four stricken ships in her 15 years of service.

On March 3, 1897, the lifeboat and its crew of ten oarsmen battled through high winds to reach a stricken Norwegian cargo ship, the SS Nornen.

RNLI volunteers managed to save the ship's 10 members and the captain's dog, a Great Dane.