Generous Ustreme fans boost Caister Lifeboat fund

Generous fans at Jim Davidson’s latest stand-up show in Great Yarmouth donated £800 towards Caister Lifeboat’s new vessel – with Ustreme then boosting the fund by a further £1,000.

The independent Caister Lifeboat team volunteer to save lives at sea on the east coast of Norfolk and beyond, and a new £1.6m vessel is under construction to allow the crew to continue their incredible work.

The donor that raises the highest amount gets to name their new vessel and it has become the mission of Caister Lifeboat’s former coxswain Dick Thurlow and his family to name the new vessel after his late wife, Annette.

Ustreme founder Jim Davidson, who is patron of the organisation, has spent years supporting the charity and has allowed crew members to tour with him over the past year to help raise funds for the cause at his gigs.

Following his last show at Great Yarmouth’s Britannia Pier, Jim said: “The audience were so generous and donated £800 after the show. We’ve then given another £1,000 from the Ustreme Charity Fund.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported this fantastic cause. They are a great bunch who do terrific work saving lives at sea.”

The funding boost comes weeks after Jim hosted a special charity gala concert alongside friend Bobby Davro at the same venue, which raised more than £10,000 for the cause. Ustreme’s documentary, called For The Love Of A Woman, which showed behind-the-scenes footage of the charity show, interviews with the Caister Lifeboat team and the new boat under construction on the Isle of Wight, also helped to raise funds.

Mr Thurlow’s wife Annette had been desperate to donate her organs in death to save others but complications meant medical professionals were unable to fulfil her dying wish. Her loved ones hope that by naming the boat after her, her legacy will live on and she’ll be able to save lives in another way.

Donate to the fund here