MORE than £600 was raised by both Penarth rugby clubs for the RNLI from their traditional Boxing Day match.

RNLI Penarth has thanked Penarth RFC and Old Penarthians RFC for choosing them to be the first charity to benefit from the “Richard Thomas Shield”.

They came together on Boxing Day for what was their seventh consecutive match since the local Penarth derby resumed in its present form in 2010 and the third for the “Richard Thomas Shield”, a trophy in memory of a local player who played for both clubs.

Boxing Day’s match was well attended by local people and raised £614.08 for the RNLI.

Penarth lifeboat station is one of the busiest in Wales, and the volunteer crews attend between 60 and 70 shouts on average each year.

Calls can be to broken down vessels, first aid emergencies at sea, missing person searches and to assist people cut off by the tide – the Bristol Channel having the second largest tidal range in the world.

Although not everyone in the crew has a sailing background, all are volunteers.

Crew members freely give of their time and attend weekly training evenings, formal exercises and respond to emergencies as required, at any time of the day or night.