Hat-trick of awards for RNLI shop

SHERINGHAM'S RNLI charity shop has won a hat-trick of accolades, bagging two awards and bucking the economic trend to enjoy record sales.

The High Street shop, which is managed by retired civil servant Ann Little and former royal Navy electrician Des Keen, is manned by a 23-strong team of volunteers.

Staff were not expecting to equal 2007's 10-year sales high, so to discover this week that sales had topped �137,000 to November 2008, came as a complete surprise.

"Profits are up 9pc overall, which is excellent as we really thought we'd have a job to do so well this year," said Mrs Little.

She put the shop's success down to the efforts of a team of friendly and helpful volunteers, the support of loyal customers and Des's keen eye for quality giftware, including a selection of top of the range model boats.

The takings record comes hot on the heels of an award presented a few weeks ago to Sheringham RNLI by SheringhamPlus Community Partnership in recognition of its work in the community.

And, last week, Mrs Little heard the Sheringham shop was one of only two RNLI outlets in the eastern region to be honoured in the charity's annual supporter awards.

Sheringham RNLI press officer Ian Pearce paid tribute to all those who support the lifeboat, including branch committee member Mary Blyth, who looks after the town's boathouse outlet with the help of local couple Bob and Betty Parish, Rita Smith, who oversees collection boxes, and Andrew Dawson and Ann Hood, who run the town's RNLI car park on the Leas.

"Despite the snow last Easter and a very wet summer, takings at the boathouse were �10,031, with the boxes bringing in �4,401 and the car park taking �7,249," said Mr Pearce.

Sheringham RNL is hosting a Savour Our Sausages (SOS) evening at Upper Sheringham Village Hall on January 31, with entertainment by local group Red Oktober.

Tickets at �9, to include sausage casserole with mashed potatoes followed by a pudding, from the lifeboat shop or Pat Pearce on 01263 821518.