UNSUNG heroes of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute enjoyed an opportunity to meet up, and get their hands on some memorabilia at an open day in Hadleigh.

By Tina Heath

UNSUNG heroes of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute enjoyed an opportunity to meet up, and get their hands on some memorabilia at an open day in Hadleigh.

Nearly 100 fundraisers from across the region came to the event at the charity's regional office. The day was designed to thank volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year.

Lifeboat crews from stations across the East Coast were on hand to regale visitors with tales of daring at sea rescues – all of which could not have been possible without the volunteers behind the scenes fundraising efforts.

The Eastern Region RNLI had recently moved offices and the ensuing clear out meant that memorabilia from flags to film footage and more were available so that fundraisers could each take home a piece of heritage.

Regional manager Sarah Halls hailed the open day as a resounding success.

"It gave people a chance to talk about their experiences, share fundraising ideas and also problems they may have encountered and get advice," she said.

Volunteers came from as far a field as Northampton and lifeboat crews came from Cromer, Aldeburgh, Clacton, Great Yarmouth and Happisburgh on the north Norfolk coast.

The Hadleigh regional offices co-ordinate funding across 12 counties from Coventry in the west to the East Coast and from Leicester down to the M25.

Based along Magdalen Road they have two full time staff, two part time, a manager and other area organisers who work from home and come into the office once a month.

www.lifeboats.org.uk