Dover Lifeboat Station helped kept afloat by donation from local house builder

Recent statistics have shown a 64% increase in water users needing support from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution since 2019*. With this in mind, local housebuilder Barratt Homes, who is building homes at the nearby Richmond Park development on Richmond Way in Whitfield, Dover, is helping to cover some of RNLI Dover Lifeboat Station’s running costs with a donation of £300.

The Dover Lifeboat Station, which has been active for over 185 years, relies on donations in order to cover the ongoing costs of boat and building maintenance, as well as crew kits and crew training. Barratt Kent’s donation will help to fund the station’s many overheads, ensuring that its volunteers can continue their search and rescue efforts, alongside ensuring water safety in Dover through beach assessments, education and awareness and training for lifeguards.

Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt Kent, commented: “As we build new homes along the coast, it is important to us to support the infrastructure that is already in place to ensure that the local community and our residents are safe in the water. The work that the RNLI does is not just for moments of crisis, but to help maintain the beaches and bodies of water to prevent accidents from happening. We hope to encourage the residents to feel safer with our support towards the RNLI Dover Lifeboat Station.”

Claire Cardwell, Fundraising and Partnerships Lead at the RNLI, added: “We have all come to appreciate being outside in nature over recent months, but the consequence of this is that more people have been visiting beaches and rivers for a day out. This has unfortunately led to an increase in people needing our help. We are thankful for the donation we have received from Barratt Kent, which will not only help maintain our boats and equipment but pay for much needed fuel.”

Barratt Kent is currently building a range of three-bedroom homes at its Richmond Park development in Dover, with prices starting from £312,995.