STUDENTS in Teignbridge completed a sponsored swim to raise money for their local lifeboat station.

Pupils from Orchard Manor School in Teignmouth recently presented volunteers from the town’s lifeboat station with a cheque for £800 after having completed a sponsored swim at Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Dawlish.

Park Manager, Stephen Brown, said: ‘We were delighted to host the pupils from Orchard Manor School, they worked hard to achieve their goal, and it was great to be able to support them in their challenge’.

Volunteers from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station Water Safety Team, Fundraising Crew and Boat Crew were ‘thrilled’ to receive the cheque.

Year 10 and 11 pupils completed 400 lengths in three hours, which equates to ten kilometres.

Volunteer crew member, Sean Bromfield, was among the representatives for the RNLI that went to Orchard Manor School to collect the cheque.

Sean said: ‘It was really good to be able to meet the students who raised the funds.

‘The pupils were really engaged and had lots of questions about the role of RNLI volunteers.

‘Along with Alan and Shannon from the Water Safety team, we were able to give the children an idea of how the money they raised will be used to save lives at sea.’

The swim itself was organised by pupils as part of their BTEC Level 1 Public Services unit - ‘Contributing to the Community’ - following a visit from Teignmouth RNLI volunteers at the end of last year.