Lifeboats buoyed by books

Unwanted books add up to £20k

Exmouth's RNLI is £20,000 better off thanks to secondhand books sold in Lympstone - and now the lifeboat charity has thanked the two people behind the scheme.

Alan and Sally Burton have run Booksill for 14 years. They sell books from the window sill of a property in Lympstone. The money goes towards keeping people safe at sea around the coast - and could pay to train 30 volunteers for a year. 

They've just received national recognition for their contribution over the years, with an RNLI 'Excellence in volunteering' certificate. They're pictured receiving their award from the chairman of Exmouth's RNLI fundraising committee Don Hodgkinson.

Mr Burton began raising funds for the RNLI 45 years ago. He says: “This amazing total directly reflects the fantastic generosity of the community here in Lympstone.  It only works because of the never-ending supply of books and the kind donations given on purchase. Right at the beginning I wanted the Booksill to be inclusive, so the books are not priced, and we accept any sum of money for any book. The important thing is that as many books as possible find appreciative new readers.”

Ms Burton adds: “The RNLI is in our blood and it is terrific to have achieved such a momentous total over the years in support of the volunteer crews.”