Only a few short years ago a club teaching children life saving skills was forced to close when storm damage destroyed their clubhouse and kit.

Now, not only is Mullion Surf Life Saving Club back up and running but it has a waiting list – and is an important part of the local community, as demonstrated when a cheque for £1,500 was presented to members to mark their final beach session of the season.

Mark Bailey, from Hattons Spar in Mullion, attended the Nipper session at Poldhu Cove to hand over the fundraising cheque to club chairman Dr Simon Mitchell.

The money will go towards its fund-raising for new boards for its younger members.

Simon said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this boost to our fund-raising campaign. The Nipper surf boards which the children use need replacing and this fantastic donation from Hattons Spar will make a huge difference.”

In February 2014 a storm destroyed the club’s surf hut at Polurrian Cove, Mullion, and with it all of the club’s kit, forcing it to close. A year later a group of parents came together to resurrect it, with surf life saving clubs from around Cornwall and further afield donating equipment, with more kit bought second hand.

Since then the club has trained eight new lifeguards, 15 coaches and nine aquatic first aiders.

This summer Mullion Surf Life Saving Club regularly coached 40 children in sea safety, first aid and surf swimming on Poldhu beach, and are about to begin their winter training programme at Helston Swimming Pool.

Explaining why he chose to donate the fund-raising to the club, Mark said: “It’s great to help a local charity like this, and it’s a cause I really believe in. I worked as a lifeguard on Poldhu beach in the late 1970s and strongly believe in the discipline, competition and fun of surf life saving which is so important for our local youngsters.”

The club currently has a waiting list for Nippers but welcomes parents and adults who are willing to train as coaches and lifeguards. For more information on joining the adult sessions email membershipmslsc@talktalk.net.

To help continue their fund-raising for new boards, club members will be holding a Race Night at the Mounts Bay Inn, Mullion on Friday, November 2.