THE running costs of New Brighton's lifeboat are to funded for the next two years thanks to a £120,000 partnership between the RNLI and a leading offshore wind provider.

DONG Energy has today signed a partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to help the charity continue saving lives in the area.

The partnership will see them cover boat running costs for an initial period of two years, during which time DONG will make a financial donation of £120,000.

Boat running costs include covering the fuel used on lifeboat launches and rescues, as well as minor items replaced during routine maintenance.

DONG Energy’s Burbo Bank offshore wind farm is currently in operation in Liverpool Bay and the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm is under construction.

This new partnership with the RNLI station in New Brighton will provide further support to the local community.

Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK country chairman, said: “The RNLI is a fantastic charity that does incredible work, and I am thrilled that we are now funding the boat running costs for the RNLI station in New Brighton.

“The RNLI saves lives at sea every day and as a company operating at sea ourselves, we know all about the extraordinary support that the RNLI provides to coastal communities.

“DONG Energy is fully committed to making a positive contribution to the areas where we operate and that’s why this partnership makes so much sense. We are delighted to support the RNLI in continuing with their outstanding lifeboat search and rescue service.”

Graham Sale, New Brighton RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: “We were very grateful to hear that DONG Energy wanted to support the RNLI in New Brighton. Our dedicated volunteer crew are always ready to drop everything when the call comes to launch the lifeboat and hovercraft on a rescue, but they couldn’t carry on saving lives without the help of organisations like DONG Energy.

“On behalf of everyone at New Brighton RNLI, I want to say a very big thank you to DONG Energy. As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and fundraising, and so to know that our lifeboat and hovercraft running costs will be covered for the next two years is a huge boost.”