THE APPEAL for a new lifeboat for Penarth reached £42,000 by the end of 2016.

Since launching in July, Penarth RNLI have raised tens of thousands of pounds towards their new D Class boat which they hope will arrive in 2018 and the appeal is now just £10,000 off its target.

The Penarth Times launched an official campaign to support the appeal.

The appeal began in July with Olympic sailing gold medallist Hannah Mills helping to get it underway at the station.

She subsequently went on to compete at the Rio olympics where she won a gold medal and was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list.

Hannah will be further supporting the appeal with a joint fundraising talk on January 20 at Howell's School in Cardiff from 7-10.30pm.

There will be a cabaret performance from Lee Gilbert, a charity auction and welcome drinks and canapes.

Tickets can be bought for £25 from www.ticketsource.co.uk.

Following the launch there have been a number of events organised by lifeboat volunteers and members of the wider community to support the appeal.

A spokesman for Penarth RNLI said the support has been "unbelievable".

Events have been organised on a variety of scales, with every contribution making a valued addition to the appeal total.

A fundraising dinner with special guest Sam Warburton raised £11,000 towards the appeal and there have been a range of local events from yellow welly treasure hunts to quizzes and open day events.

The Penarth Times reporter Anthony Lewis was on hand to help out at the station's open day where visitors could take a look around the station and funds were raised through the efforts of volunteer bucket collectors who braved the elements.

We have also had some inspirational stories from some of the crew members including one being called away just after a launch to witness the birth of his child and the stories of those who've been rescued from perilous situations by the volunteer team.

Penarth RNLI Chairman Laurie Pavelin, said: "The response to the lifeboat appeal has been outstanding and we are delighted with the progress towards our total. On behalf of RNLI Penarth I would like to thank everyone who has donated towards the appeal."

Please help us raise the money by getting involved.

No matter how big or small your fundraising event or idea, let us know and we will help publicise it.

We will also try to cover as many events as possible.

Anyone who helps raise money will get special recognition with a Penarth Times certificate and be mentioned in a roll call which will be published regularly.

Send any fundraising ideas to reporter Anthony Lewis at penarthtimes@penarthtimes.co.uk or contact the appeal team at penarth@rnli.org.uk.

To donate directly send a cheque made payable to Penarth Lifeboat Appeal to Penarth Lifeboat Station, The Esplanade, Penarth, CF64 3AU.

You can also donate online by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/penarthlifeboatappeal1.