England rugby player Jack Nowell, who’s from Newlyn, is urging people to get behind and support Penlee RNLI’s fundraising appeal which aims to raise £200,000 towards the cost of building a new lifeboat station.

Penlee’s current lifeboat station was built in 1983, but 32 years later the station is no longer fit for purpose. With around 25 volunteer crew and additional shore crew as well as fundraisers using the building, there is an urgent need for more space.

Patrick (Patch) Harvey Coxswain of Penlee RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat says; ‘The current lifeboat station comprises of a small office, a crew room and very small crew changing area in which up to 10 volunteers can be trying to change at any one time. It can get quite claustrophobic.

"At the moment everyone at the station is competing to use the single crew room for everything from training and meetings to having an important debrief after a rescue. It’s also the only place the crew can get a cup of tea and get warm when they get in from a shout and it’s just not practical.

"The new station will provide that much needed space, modern facilities for the volunteers and better access for members of the public. We are extremely excited about the possibilities it will present to us to see Penlee RNLI into the future."

Subject to planning, the much needed new station will be rebuilt on the site of the existing boathouse in Newlyn Harbour.

Hoped to be twice as long as the current station, the two story building would provide much improved facilities for the crew including; a larger crew changing and shower room, a dedicated mechanics workshop and a visitor attraction where Penlee’s proud heritage and sea safety information can be displayed, on the ground floor.

The first floor will include a galley area and larger crew room where they can rest and get warm after a shout, as well as a dedicated office and a separate training room.

The training room will also be available for use by groups in the local community working and training in the maritime area such as the Maritime Coastguard Agency and Sea Scout groups.

Professional rugby player Jack Nowell, who grew up in Newlyn spent some time with the volunteer crew on Thursday, January 22, to find out more about the plans for the new station and the appeal.

Falmouth Packet:

Jack Nowell with Patrick Harvey Coxswain of Penlee RNLI all weather lifeboat. PICTURES: RNLI Simon Culliford

Jack said: "It’s a huge honour and privilege to be asked to support the Penlee Lifeboat Station appeal. I grew up in Newlyn, and the volunteers at the station are my friends, so I’ve always supported the charity.

‘The lifeboat station is right at the bottom of my garden. I remember me and my brothers watching the lifeboat go out through the harbour when we were younger and wondering where they were going. We’d always try and find out afterwards what had happened, and who the crew had saved.

‘As a professional rugby player I know just how important teamwork and training is, so a dedicated training room is vital for the crew. It’s incredible the amount of training these guys do, but they need it to keep up to date with the equipment they use and so that they stay safe when out at sea. It’s really important for me to be able to do what I can to help them raise the funds needed for their new lifeboat station and help them get the facilities they deserve.

"I’d encourage everyone to get involved, support the events that are being organised or organise your own. It all helps towards that target."

Building works on the new lifeboat station are expected to begin in October 2015, subject to planning permission, and will take five months to complete. While the majority of the estimated £850,000 cost will be raised through the RNLI’s Key Investment Team which includes trusts, grants, philanthropy and corporate, local fundraisers have launched a public appeal to raise £200,000 towards the cost.

Janet Madron, volunteer Chair of the Penlee RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, said: "The fundraising volunteers are extremely excited to be launching the appeal to raise £200,000 towards a new lifeboat station today. It’s a massive challenge for everyone to take on, but were are a very close community and everyone chips in to help where they can. We have plenty of plans for events and ideas to get the money coming in so we’re all raring to go.

"It is very fitting that the first donation on the page is in memory of Edwin Madron, my brother in law and brother of my late husband Stephen Madron who was one of the crew who were lost with the Soloman Browne. This donation has got us off the ground and we can only build on this."

Anyone wishing to donate towards the appeal can so at station or by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/penleelifeboatstationappeal.