A LIFEBOAT charity is reaping the rewards of a company's good fortune.

Richard Longworth, owner of Executive Dry Cleaners, in Sunderland, was entered into a prize draw after completing a questionnaire from Northumbrian Water.

Given out with the company's business charter, the survey aimed to help Northumbrian Water learn more about the requirements of different businesses.

All the businesses which returned completed questionnaires were entered into the prize draw to win either £2,000 worth of travel vouchers or computer vouchers.

They could also opt to donate the sum to a charity of their choice.

After beating more than 1,000 businesses throughout the region to win, Mr Longworth decided to donate the cash to the RNLI in Sunderland.

Lifeboat coxswain Ernie Laws said: "We are absolutely delighted that Richard has donated this money to us.

"It was very thoughtful of him to give the money to charity rather than spend it on his own business.

"It will be put towards the upkeep of our two boats and will also buy some protective clothing for our volunteers."