PWLLHELI RNLI will name its new lifeboat in memory of a former coxswain this weekend – after raising £48,000 to fund it.

Pwllheli RNLI volunteers will hold a special ceremony on Saturday to officially name the station’s new D-class lifeboat in memory of former coxswain Robert ‘Bob’ Wright and welcome the lifeboat into the RNLI fleet.

The D-class lifeboat will be formally named Robert J Wright in memory of the station’s former coxswain who died at sea during a lifeboat service in 2015.

Pwllheli RNLI was given the challenge of raising £24,000 to help fund the new lifeboat as part of a community appeal.

As the volunteers were eager to mark Robert’s memory, the target was smashed in a matter of weeks and the station decided to continue the good work and fund the whole amount.

The naming and service of dedication is always a special day for every lifeboat community as the new lifeboat is officially accepted and welcomed into the charity’s lifesaving fleet.

The honour of formally naming the D-class lifeboat will be given to Pwllheli resident Mary Jones who has spent a lifetime supporting her local lifeboat station.

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