BLAZING sunshine and more than 15,000 people helped Mudeford RNLI raise £16,500 at a fun day.

The event also raised £600 for the local Air Training Corps who helped with the park and ride scheme.

“Visitor numbers exceeded our expectations,” says Kim Skinner, Mudeford Lifeboat Funday committee chairman.

“The air display was a major highlight with the Hawker Hunter Jet screaming along the edge of the beach at 200 feet and touching 600 knots in a perfect blue sky, we could not have wished for better.”

A record 300 cars used the park and ride provided by partners Britannia Buses Parking team and the organisational costs were covered by JP Morgan as part of their ‘Supporting the Community’ programme.

The BBQ manned by RNLI crew managed to sell over 1,100 burgers and hot dogs while 13 rafts entered the annual Raft Race, pictured, with all managing to finish the course.

The duck race also provided great entertainment as the collection of 500 ducks were almost swept out to sea.

Work is already underway for next year’s event, taking place on July 28.