A Lowestoft charity has raised enough money to buy the former Dover lifeboat 'Rotary Service', which it hopes to bring back to the Suffolk coast.

Lowestoft Journal: The Thames Class Lifeboat Trust has secured funds to buy Rotary ServiceThe Thames Class Lifeboat Trust has secured funds to buy Rotary Service (Image: Archant)

Thames Class Lifeboat Trust, a maritime youth training charity, now owns the lifeboat and will bring it to Lowestoft where it will be put to good use.

Chairman of the trust, Scott Snowling, said the charity plans to use it as a youth training vessel and a floating museum.

He said a significant donation from Neill Rush helped the trust reach its target.

Mr Rush made the donation in memory of his late mother Freda Rush, who died last year.

He had always wanted an ex-lifeboat after spending childhood holidays on the coast of Suffolk and Norfolk.

Disability meant that would not be possible and when the project to bring the Brooke Marine-built boat home came up, he made the donation.

Mr Snowling said: 'We are truly honoured to receive such generous support. Without Neill, we would not have been in this position.

'The trust would also like to thank numerous private donors for their support but also KM Electronics, SSE, The Rotary Club of Westminster West and OMS.' The charity is now ready to send volunteers to visit the vessel in Ireland again to assess its mechanical condition and start the repairs needed to get it back to Lowestoft.

It is estimated these repairs could cost up to £18,000 and will include modifying Rotary Service, making it safe and buying equipment needed for the return trip and future training.

For more information about the project, visit www.50001.org.uk

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