Falmouth RNLI's £100,000 fundraising appeal was launched just six weeks ago and donations have already topped £24,000.

The fundraising committee are delighted with the response, but are appealing for people to still get involved and help them reach their target. This will enable essential improvements to be made to the lifeboat station ahead of the arrival of a new Atlantic class inshore lifeboat in 2019.

The appeal has been launched in what is the 150th anniversary year of Falmouth RNLI and the exact amount banked so far stands at £24,593.75.

Appeal deputy chairman, Paul Wickes, said: "We are delighted with the fantastic progress for the RNLI Falmouth 150 Appeal. To have already reached £24,000 in such a short period of time puts us ahead of our targets for the calendar of events planned for the rest of the year.

"The appeal committee extend our thanks to all of the families and companies, such as Seacore, who have generously donated. There are a growing number of organisations who have started fundraising efforts. The major events are still to happen, including the Sea Shanty Festival with hopefully a new record amount collected by Betty (Stogs); a ska night organised by the amazing Pink Wig ladies; the Castle to Castle Swim, a black tie celebration dinner and the launch of the book on the history of the Falmouth RNLI station.

"Without giving all the secrets away Falmouth Marine Band are also planning a 'noisy' donation later in the year. So we have momentum and the hard work continues so thank you one and all."

Another source of funding will come from the Gloucester Quays Food Festival in July, which is thanks to the Falmouth appeal chairman, Mark Killingback's family connections to the city, and the fact Falmouth's first lifeboat was donated by the city.

Mr Killingback and his wife Debbie, who was born in Gloucester, were visiting family recently and arranged to meet the local RNLI branch. From that meeting, Gloucester RNLI fundraising branch agreed to donate all money raising during the festival to the Falmouth appeal.

Anyone interested in organising a fundraising event or make a donation to the appeal should contact the appeal team at Falmouth_Appeal@rnli.org,uk or call 07774 436265.