Puppets to raise funds for RNLI

Tuesday 3rd April 2012

Fundraiser David Leech has made a 30-inch lifeboat man puppet to celebrate his work supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Puppeteer David has made the man to draw attention to a set of five puppets dressed in emergency services uniforms which he will donate as the star prize in a fundraising draw.

The five puppets, which are handmade and have a retail value of £175, feature in David's People That Help Us range at his shop, Pelham Puppets, in Ilfracombe, Devon. The set includes a policeman, nurse, fire fighter, paramedic and a lifeboat man which are all 12-inches tall.

David said: "You'll be able to see the puppets featured in a scene from their fictional home in Pelhamcombe that will be set out in my shop window at The Puppet Master premises.

"The 30-inch tall lifeboat man puppet is a bit special as I've made him to help promote my fundraising activities for the RNLI. I started making him last year and I reckon I've devoted about 40 hours to crafting him."

Children now have the chance to name the large lifeboat man as part of the fundraising project.

David was inspired to help the charity after hearing about a rescue mission while he was living in Weymouth.

He said: "A lady was rescued by the lifeboat crew after the vessel she and her friends were on started sinking off Ilfracombe.

"Fortunately they were spotted by an RNLI lifeboat volunteer who raised the alarm and they were all safety gathered in. That man's decision saved their lives and I won't ever forget that."

Tickets for the draw cost £1 and will be on sale at The Puppet Master, The Promenade, Ilfracombe. The prize draw will be launched at Ilfracombe RNLI lifeboat station on April 7 at an event between 11am and 4pm.

The prize draw will take place at the RNLI Christmas Fayre in November and the winning name will be announced at the RNLI station open day on August 10.

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