The appeal for a new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat at Hunstanton's RNLI station is almost there following a charity auction and a fantastic donation of almost £3,000 from marathon runner John Franklin.

More than 100 guests attended the auction, organised by the RNLI, which raised £3,135. it was held in a marquee at Thornham on Sunday.

Bidders had plenty to choose from, with 43 lots going under the hammer, including a weekend break for four at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, a £200 holiday voucher, a season ticket for two for Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Fakenham, and a 12-month gym membership to Persona-Fit in Lynn.

Dinner and bed and breakfast for two was also up for grabs from The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham, along with a personal tour of Lynn Power Station, lots of meals and lunches for two, theatre tickets, jewellery and much, much more.

Tammy Allgood, the RNLI's area fundraising manager, said the auction was a huge success and thanked donors and bidders.

She said everyone had a "fabulous evening" and auctioneer, BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Roy Waller, kept the crowd entertained.

She also said thanks to help from Bedfords Estate Agents and The Lifeboat Inn with the marquee, donated by Alan and Abigail Taylor, who had used it for their wedding reception to the day before, all the profit from the event could go directly towards the appeal.

Lynn News photographer Paul Tibbs also gave a photograph which netted £105 and thanks Henderson Art and Framing in Gaywood for kindly mounting and framing it free of charge.

Earlier in the day, Gaywood man John Franklin presented a bumper £2,945 to the appeal as the station's volunteer crew got ready for training.

The 42-year-old, a salesman at Lynwood Weld Masters on Lynn's Hardwick Industrial Estate, raised the money by taking part in the London Marathon in April.

"Because I live in Lynn and my wife and I and our two children go to Hunstanton fairly regularly I thought it was a good, local charity to support," he said. "The crew do a fantastic job." Mr Franklin raised a lot of the money by writing to 50 local businesses and asking for a £50 donation, and the majority were only to pleased to help.

He was also sponsored by friends and family, and colleagues at Lynwood donated £100.

It was the second time Mr Franklin had taken on the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge, having raised around £1,200 for the stroke unit at Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital when he completed it in 2004.

His wife Lisa and children Jacob (ten) and Ellie (13) supported him on the day of the marathon, which he completed in four hours and 15 minutes.

"I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and all the companies and individuals who pledged money," he said.

If you're planning an event in aid of the lifeboat appeal contact appeal co-ordinator Amy Collett on 01553 817323 or email:amy.collett@lynnnews.