The Blakeney Old Wild Rovers raise £24,000 for RNLI Wells

And now members of the sea shanty group, Blakeney Old Wild Rovers, have been the guests of honour at the RNLI base.

The musicians were invited to tour the station and its state-of-the-art Shannon class Lifeboat, the Duke of Edinburgh. 

Gary Mears, one of the group members, said they were delighted to have been able to contribute to such a good cause.

Mr Mears said: “We are all based by the sea and have connections to the local lifeboat stations, Wells, Sheringham and Cromer, with some of the crew being great mates of ours, so the RNLI is a charity close to our hearts.”

The Old Wild Rovers performing at the North Norfolk County Fair (Image: Archant)

The group was formed in 1999 at The Anchor public house in nearby Morston, when five people started running raffles to raise money for charity followed by a sing-song in the bar.

Since then, the Blakeney Old Wild Rovers has been singing its way around Norfolk raising money for the RNLI and other charities. 

To date they have raised more than £250,000, holding their own events and regularly supporting lifeboat station events.

Nicky King, Coxswain at RNLI Wells (Image: Archant)

Nicky King, the Wells' coxswain, said the donation had given the station a significant boost.

Mr King said: “We are extremely grateful to the Blakeney Old Wild Rovers for all their hard work and continued support in raising funds for Wells lifeboat station.

"We all appreciate the significant donations they have made.

“The RNLI as a charity relies on the kindness and generosity of people such as the rovers, and what better way to help our volunteer crew continue to be able to save lives at sea 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, than with a sea shanty.”

Crew members from the RNLI Wells with the Blakeney Old Wild Rover (Image: BECKA WALPOLE)