DEDICATED fund-raisers for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution pushed out the boat this week.

For yesterday, the RNLI celebrated its 175th anniversary.

Each one of the 222 lifeboat stations nationwide marked the event with a variety of celebrations, but closer to home the local fund-raising committees in Bury, Tottington, Ramsbottom, Radcliffe, Whitefield, and Prestwich were enjoying their own celebrations.

Mrs Alice Attenborough, aged 87, of Higher Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, has been fund-raising with the Radcliffe branch for more than 45 years.

"My husband, Harry, was in the Royal Navy during the war and was stationed abroad.

"He returned home, but when the other men went back on HMS Maypole he did not go with them as he was being commissioned," recalled Mrs Attenborough. "Later my husband and I heard on the radio that the ship was missing.

"My husband looked horrified as it involved men he knew, and it so easily could have been him."

Mrs Attenborough said the experience persuaded her to join the RNLI when she was approached by committee members.

"My husband never really mentioned the incident, but when I was asked to join he said he would like me to."

Now, more than 45 years later, Mrs Attenborough is still a committed member.

Mrs Attenborough fears that a lack of younger members could affect the organisation's future.

"Younger people have different commitments than when I joined," she said.

"But it is very important to recruit younger members as in 10-15 years time we will not have anyone to take over.

"We would be grateful for any help anyone can give to any of the local organisations."

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