LIFESAVING volunteers have received £500 to help with their activities.

Hartlepool RNLI were presented with a cheque from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Trust, at its Ferry Road Lifeboat station, recently.

Trust board member Fran Charnock, who is also a resident of Hartfields, Hartlepool, where the station is based, said: ‘The RNLI is a fantastic charity that deserves a lot of support.

“The local volunteer lifeboat crew work so hard and provide a fantastic service to the town and their fundraisers are always welcome here at Hartfields.”

Hartlepool RNLI member Tommy Price said: ‘This is a fantastic donation from our friends at Hartfields and the money will go towards training our volunteers to help save lives at sea.’

Volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, as well as more than 1,000 lifeguards.

However, the RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.