A DONATION of more than £2000 has pushed the appeal for a new lifeboat closer to its end.

The Rhymney River Motor Boat Sail and Angling Club's donation of £2066 has pushed Penarth RNLI within touching distance of its £52,000 target for a new D Class lifeboat.

The appeal was launched in July 2016 and the chairman of Penarth RNLI confirmed they have almost read

Rhymney River Motor Boat Sail and Angling Club commodore Richie Wembridge, whose son Darren was rescued at sea by Penarth RNLI, said: "Our local lifeboat station is an essential service my members have benefited from in times of need.

"On behalf of the club, I am pleased to give something back.

Following the launch of the fundraising campaign barely six months ago, achieving Penarth Lifeboat Appeal’s target was "a community effort," said Mr Pavelin. "We serve the community and it’s the community that keeps us going.

"The speed with which the money has been raised has been simply amazing," he said.

Jen Payne, helm of Penarth RNLI’s B Class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, said the local community’s support for the appeal had been "out of this world."

Fresh back from a recent training exercise, Ms Payne acknowledged, on behalf of herself and her crew that without the community they do not have the kit to go out.

Penarth RNLI’s new D Class Lifeboat will be launched in January 2018 following a hand-over ceremony due to be attended by local lifeboat chaplin Rev Mark Jones of the town’s St Augustine’s Church.

A name has yet to be allocated to the new vessel by Penarth RNLI.

The station’s existing D Class lifeboat Connie Dains, which underwent a significant refit last September, is destined to continue to play an important role within the RNLI.

Next year, the lifeboat will join the organisation’s reserve fleet, which enables the RNLI to replace any damaged D Class lifeboat within 24 hours.

Cardiff Canton Singers also recently donated £134 to the lifeboat appeal.