A TEAM of volunteers from Swanage has won a regional award for its RNLI lifeboat fundraising efforts.

The Swanage Lifeboat Fundraisers group, formerly the Swanage Lifeboat Guild, was named Regional Branch of the Year at the RNLI South West Regional Awards ceremony.

Over the past three years fundraisers have doubled the annual raised income at Swanage to more than £68,000.

Swanage RNLI spokesman Becky Mack said: “In 2013 the community fundraising manager approached the guild and the Lifeboat Management Group and asked them to review fundraising activities.

“Out of this came the Swanage Lifeboat Fundraisers, an extremely proactive group made up of the guild, wives, husbands, partners and families of the crew and the crew themselves.”

Becky says the group, led by Angela Morris, has introduced new fun-filled events in a bid to boost the coffers of the maritime rescue charity.

Events have included a Mamma Mia night, a Swanage Bake-Off and a number of golf days.

Community fundraising manager Selina Taylor said: “It is difficult to know where the Swanage Lifeboat Fundraisers stop and the lifeboat station starts as they are all part of the RNLI family.”

Five members of the group also picked up individual awards at the ceremony for their service to the RNLI.

Those honoured included Jean Brixton, Margrite Darnton, Jean Bettles and Marion Corben, who won bronze badges.

Robin Tiller was awarded the gold badge.

Becky said: “These awards are a reflection of the commitment and dedication shown by our fundraising volunteers over many years.

“It is thanks to volunteers like these that Swanage is recognised as one of the most successful fundraising branches.”

• You can donate £5 by texting RNLI SWANAGE to 70300.