Anita Manning helps Helensburgh RNLI raise £1,500 at event

The local RNLI fund-raising branch's event, with Anita Manning and Great Western Auctions, was held on Friday, April 19 at Helensburgh Sailing Club.

Event organiser Katy Findlay said: “We were delighted to welcome everyone. It was a great turnout and we saw some fantastic antiques and valuables.

“Thank you to everyone who came along to support Helensburgh Lifeboat and to Anita Manning, Great Western Auctions, and our volunteers.

“Our crew is available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and your support helps us to provide training and equipment our volunteer crew to save lives at sea.”

Anita, best known for her appearances on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip programmes, and her team of expert valuers were kept busy all day as people queued up all morning until the early afternoon to have their items valued.

People brought a wide range of items including jewellery, ceramics, pictures, silver, pictures, furniture, tapestries, medals, coins, and more.

Next month, the RNLI Helensburgh is hosting their Mayday Mile challenge which calls on locals to covering a mile a day for the month of May.

All money raised will go towards the charity’s work and will help provide training and equipment that is needed to keep volunteers safe.

Earlier this year the Helensburgh lifeboat crew was represented, along with personnel from lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, at a special service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey marking the 200th anniversary of the charity.

Across their history, the RNLI has saved more than 146,000 lives at sea.

Sign up for the Mayday Mile now and find out more at www.rnli.org/SupportMayday.

(Photos courtesy of Guy Wadge)