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Play the lifeboat lottery and help rescuers
A LIFEBOAT service is launching a new lottery to help it continue saving lives.
With a top prize of up to 5,000, Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service hopes the Lifeboat Lotto will prove to be a valuable money-spinner at a time when public donations are hard to come by.
Gafirs covers the coast from Portsmouth harbour to Titchfield Haven and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Last year it responded to 135 incidents.
The new scheme will help to raise cash for the ongoing maintenance and future development of the service.
Senior helmsman Chris Rudd said: 'It costs over 35,000 a year just to keep the lifeboat on station. As the local residents will know, the boats are just a part of the services we perform.
'We operate a Land Rover support vehicle and we have a cadet section where 14 to 18 year olds are taught canoeing, swimming, first aid and traditional lifeguard skill in readiness for when they are eligible for training for the full lifeboat crew at the age of 18.
'It is vital that we raise a substantial amount of money each year just to keep this service going.
'We receive no national funding and we hope the people of Gosport and Fareham and all users of the Solent will back us by supporting the lotto and their local lifeboat.
'They will have a chance of winning a great cash prize of up to 5,000 - with the extra bonus that the next life we save could be theirs.'
Entry is 2 a week, with punters picking four numbers from one to 31.
Match all four numbers to win the jackpot which starts at 500 and increases by 100 a week to a maximum of 5,000 when there will be a guaranteed winner. Match three numbers and win 20.
Players only need to pick their lucky numbers once as these numbers are then registered and entered as long as they pay.
Gafirs chairman Steve Hobbs said: 'This new lottery will make a direct and vital contribution to saving lives for the people who use the Solent. It's also a fun way for us to give something back to our supporters in the form of cash prizes - tax free of course.
'It will really help to keep your local lifeboat afloat.'
Payment can be made either by cheque at 52 for six months, or through monthly or quarterly standing orders.
The first draw takes place on Wednesday, October 27.
Sign up by collecting an application form from the Boathouse on Military Road, or by visiting gafirs.org.uk
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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