Sidmouth Conservative Club dancers donate �4,500 to date

THE coffers of Sidmouth Lifeboat are now �500 richer, thanks to ballroom dancers at Sidmouth Conservative Club.

John and Sonia Davies hold lessons every Wednesday evening there, where, just like TV’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants, people can waltz, cha-cha and samba.

So far the dancers have donated �4,500 to local charities and the most recent presentation was to Lifeboat trustee Philip Churchill.

He said: “The crew really appreciate your support and unfortunately couldn’t be here tonight.

“In eight or nine years’ time we will need to get a new boat, as the lifespan of these is about 17 years, and as we don’t receive any money from RNLI, we have to start fund-raising now.”

He said a new lifeboat would cost around �200,000 plus �50,000 for a new launch tractor and �20,000 for a trailer.

“Every penny is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much,” he told the dancers.