Can you help the lifeboat fundraisers?

Since it was formed in 1859 by the city's mill owners and textile merchants, to safeguard materials being transported from places such as Australia and New Zealand, the RNLI Bradford Fundraising Branch has raised the money to help save many lives.

Now, they are making a plea for more members and help to raise funds for their volunteer lifeboat crews.

The people of Bradford and West Yorkshire have provided money for five boats, the most recent being the City of Bradford V, named in 1999.

More than £60,000 was raised to buy the boat and it has been used to rescue hundreds of people.

It is part of the relief fleet, and so can be stationed at any lifeboat station which needs a replacement.

It is currently at the Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat station in North Yorkshire, where Bradford-born senior helmsman and mechanic, Martin Hopkinson, 45, has volunteered for more than 20 years.

Lisa Cooke, RNLI area fundraising manager, said: "Traditionally, fundraising for the RNLI may be easier on the coast but our inland branches and guilds prove time and time again that their hard work and commitment to our cause continues to bring not only much needed funds but also ensures that our RNLI flag flies high all over the inland areas of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

"The present members of the Bradford RNLI Branch are as dedicated and enthusiastic as ever and continue to raise a huge amount of money and public awareness for our brave lifeboat crews."

The branch raised more than £5,000 in 2006 through numerous events, including an arts and crafts fair, a carnival, a fire station open day and several presentations to the public. They also held a ceilidh dance in October. And money was raised through collection boxes and collection days at supermarkets and in the city centre.

The branch currently has six active volunteers.

Martin Chappelow, chairman of the RNLI Bradford Fundraising Branch, said: "What we really need is some new people to help us out, to be honest.

"The RNLI relies almost entirely upon the generosity of the public to be able to fund our lifesaving work at sea.

"Just a couple of hours of your spare time could raise enough money to buy a new pair of boots or protective helmet for our volunteer crews." He said recruiting crew members has become more difficult with the decline of the fishing industry, but the registered charity still provides an important service. He said: "A lot of people still go to the seaside and have caravans and there are more and more Bradford people who go at the weekends.

"It is surprising how many people do need rescuing by lifeboats.

"You may need help even if you are just waking along the coast, or along a cliff.

"You can slip and fall and it will be the RNLI which rescues you. At the end of the day, the main thing about the RNLI is actually saving lives."

The annual running costs of the RNLI are around £130 million.

Mr Chappellow said this covers the upkeep of the boat houses as well as the boats themselves.

The first four Bradford Boats were stationed at Ramsgate, Kent and a later one at Teesmouth, near Redcar, Tees Valley.

The first cost just £260, whereas The Bradford City V cost £65,000.

In 1914 the boats were named The City of Bradford and were stationed at Spurn Point, Humberside, the only lifeboat station in the country with a full-time crew.

The last at this station was The City of Bradford IV, famous for the bravery of Coxswain Brian Bevan who was awarded bronze, silver and gold medals for gallantry in the same year of 1978.

The present boat, The City of Bradford V is an Atlantic 75.

This model was first built in 1993, and has proved itself to be a fast, manoeuvrable, robust and very reliable craft.

Its name derives from Atlantic College in Wales, where the rigid inflatable design was first developed.

In the unlikely event of a capsize, a gas bottle inflates the righting bag to turn the boat upright in a few seconds.

The engines are inversion-proofed so they can re-start after a capsize.

She is capable of towing vessels up to 40ft and can operate in rough weather conditions, even in darkness.

The boat is also able to reach casualties in shallow water, unlike an all-weather lifeboat.

The challenge for the branch now is to acquire new members to carry this tradition on.

Mr Chappellow said: "It's important for us to keep the good name of the RNLI and the good name of Bradford going."

Any readers who would like to make a donation should send them to: The Bradford RNLI Fundraising Branch, North Regional Office, 18 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester, M30 9GJ.

To volunteer you must be over 16-years-old.

The branch meets every second Tuesday of every second month at Laisterdyke Trinity Church Rooms, Leeds Road, Laisterdyke, Bradford at 7:30pm-9:00pm.

For more information please contact Mr Martin Chappellow on 07748013243.