Times may still be difficult for many, but that has not stopped visitors to the maritime museum in Falmouth from digging deep and donating almost £7,000 for the rescue services over the past few months.

The museum’s Search and Rescue Exhibition celebrates the maritime rescue services, and in honour of their work the attraction installed a charity box for donations that would then be distributed across all the rescue partners involved in the exhibition.

Over the duration of the exhibition, the donation boxes have raised more than £10,000 which will be divided between the RNLI and charities associated with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, National Coastwatch Institute, HM Coastguard and Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Ben Lumby, the museum’s exhibitions manager, said: “There is a huge amount of support for the Search and Rescue Exhibition. People return time after time to climb aboard the helicopter and experience being a member of the maritime services. Others have visited and spotted family in photographs, shared tales of their rescues at sea and many have left better understanding the role our maritime rescue services play and better aware of safety at sea. Visitors have shown their appreciation for the work they do by donating to the rescue service charities and we are very grateful.”

Fundraising will continue until the exhibition closes next February.