Coast & Country Cottages donated £500 to Salcombe RNLI instead of sending out hundreds of Christmas cards to property owners and business contacts.

In recent years the agency, who in November was announced as the silver award winner in the category Best Small UK Self Catering/Cottage Holiday Company at the prestigious 2018 British Travel Awards, has made donations to various charities. These include Devon Air Ambulance Trust, CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) and to Tommy's, who provide vital research into premature birth. 2019 is a historic year for the RNLI in picturesque waterside Salcombe, as this essential service celebrates 150 years of operation in the town, and with this in mind, the Coast & Country Cottages team chose to donate to this local charity.

Jon Doyle, Coast & Country Cottages Managing Director says, “We are delighted to support Salcombe RNLI. This is an invaluable organisation and plays a very important role in this coastal community. Many of the locally based team members have close connections with Salcombe RNLI, and it is an organisation that is very close to our hearts.”

As featured on BBC2's documentary 'Saving Lives at Sea', Salcombe RNLI has performed hundreds of life-saving rescues off the South Devon coastline since the first station was founded in 1869 at South Sands. A registered charity run entirely on voluntary contributions, the service is reliant on the support of 34 local men and women volunteers to operate two boats - a 25 knot Tamar Class All Weather Lifeboat 'The Baltic Exchange III', and a 35 knot B Class Inshore Lifeboat 'Gladys Hilda Mustoe'.

Jon continues, “It gives us great pleasure to support the RNLI, and we would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the organisation on the milestone achievement of 150 years of operations in Salcombe.”

Coxswain of Salcombe RNLI Chris Winzar comments, “We really appreciate the support of Salcombe businesses such as Coast & Country Cottages. The RNLI is such a valuable service to the town, and a massive part of the community.  We are delighted to be celebrating 150 years in Salcombe and will be hosting a number of events throughout 2019 to mark the occasion. Visit salcombelifeboat.co.uk  for information!”

For information about the RNLI or to make a donation visit www.salcombelifeboat.co.uk

Image caption (Left to right): Maria Makepeace, Coast & Country Cottages Marketing Executive, Jon Doyle, Coast & Country Cottages Managing Director, Salcombe RNLI Coxswain Chris Winzar and Sam Viles, Salcombe RNLI mechanic.