A LIFEBOAT crew is appealing for donations following an “extremely challenging” year.

Neal Sandquest, Harwich Lifeboat Station’s coxswain, has thanked crew members for their commitment throughout 2020 which meant not one shout for help was missed.

During the turbulent year Harwich RNLI volunteers were tasked with a range of rescues.

In August alone the crew dealt with 21 call outs - making it the busiest August on record for five years.

Whether it was dark, cold, windy or scorching hot, volunteers managed to save kayakers stuck on muddy riverbanks, stranded boaters on grounded yachts, and windsurfers caught out by strong currents.

Harwich RNLI was also hit by a “colossal” financial loss caused by the pandemic, and volunteers had to adapt to strict Covid-19 regulations.

Reflecting on 2020, Mr Sandquest said: “Daily routine at the lifeboat station has been extremely challenging throughout 2020.

“The commitment and diligence of the frontline crews has meant that not one shout has been missed.”

He said this was an “incredible achievement” when so many Covid restrictions were enforced.

Strict guidelines for PPE and sanitisation had to be adhered to in order to protect the crews when answering calls for help.

Training was also scaled back massively due to the restrictions.

But Mr Sandquest said the community’s support has been an enormous help, especially the Harwich Society, which assisted the station shop in selling teddy bears, Christmas cards and other items for the RNLI.

“This unexpected collaboration has been amazing and brought in vital funds,” he added.

“The whole station would like to say a massive thank you for your help.

“The availability of vaccine will hopefully see us return to ‘normal’ activities in 2021. We look forward to welcoming you, our community back to our regular fundraising events.

“The crew, fundraising team and shop will need your support more than ever in light of the colossal financial loss incurred, due to our inability to operate during 2020.

“On behalf of everyone at Harwich Lifeboat Station, we wish you a healthy New Year, stay safe, and we’ll meet again as soon as possible.”

Visit harwichlifeboat.org.uk to donate.