Betty's coffee morning skills helps Sidmouth Lifeboat

QUEEN of the coffee mornings, Betty Easey, has done it again - raising �751 for Sidmouth Lifeboat in less than two hours.

Betty, Sidmouth's Citizen of the Year in 2002, organised the coffee morning and sale on Saturday for the independent lifeboat charity, and, despite three similar events that day, made it a successful venture. Lifeboat trustee Freddy Wedderburn described Betty as "an outstanding example of the great contribution made by some senior citizens to the everyday life of Sidmouth."

He added: "For many years her tireless efforts have achieved a high level of success in raising funds for local charity groups, during which time she has been ably supported by her neighbours, Dennis and Jean Jonas, in the momentous task of collecting, sorting and storing the great volume of high quality items that have been generously donated."

Betty, 85, of Broadway, put her level of success down to getting good helpers.

"That is the answer. I never seem to have any problem getting people to help and I also get everything organised beforehand so everyone knows what they are doing on the day. It makes the day go smoothly."

Since moving to Sidmouth in 1973, Betty, who attended the Queen's Christmas reception in 2004, has organised hundreds of coffee mornings, many for the Samaritans.

Her main achievement was raising �10,000 for the Asian tsunami disaster victims in 2004.

"Most of that was from people bringing in donations. Someone had coffee, then wrote a cheque for �200."

It seems Betty plans to continue using her fundraising talents.

"I am quite pleased with myself that I am able to do things still," she said.

Freddy added: "All members of Sidmouth Lifeboat are extremely grateful to Betty for this most welcome boost to our funds, which comes at a crucial time for us as we approach the completion of the new extension to the lifeboat station, which has required an investment in the region of �100,000.