It means there's just £35,000 left to go before Hunstanton's RNLI station can get a new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat – the charity's most technically-advanced lifeboat.

The latest event in aid of the appeal was a fashion show with the Artichoke Collection, organised by award-winning fundraiser Madge Watts (78) at the 21 Room, adjoining Methwold Social Club, last Wednesday.

The event raised a bumper £239, taking the amount she has raised for the appeal so far to more than £1,100 – smashing her £1,000 target.

"The fashion show was a real success," said the former Lynn News correspondent, who won a Mayor's Voluntary Award for her charity work earlier this year.

There's still more cash to come in, though, as a percentage of profits from clothes sold on the evening will also be donated to the appeal.

Mrs Watts, who lives in Methwold, raised the rest of the money by organising two concerts at the village's St George's Church, featuring the Norvic Concordia ensemble, keyboard player David Thomas and vocalists Tanya Lee, Sally Darby and Colin Wyatt.

l The Hunstanton Promenaders Sea Angling Club has also donated £150 to the appeal after raising the money through its first Phil Bird Memorial Fishing match last month.

Mr Bird, formerly of Birds Coaches in Hunstanton and a keen fisherman and bait supplier, was in his 40s when he died of cancer in March, 2005.

His widow Anita and two daughters joined forces with the angling club to organise the match, which will now be held every year in aid of different charities.

The event was held at Holme beach, one of Mr Bird's favourite places to fish, and was won by Peter Richardson, of Dersingham's Semba Trading Co, with two nice bass.

Mrs Bird presented him a replica of the main trophy, which will be engraved with the winners' names and be put on display.

l If you're planning an event in aid of the lifeboat appeal, contact co-ordinator Amy Collett on 01553 817316, or via e-mail at: amy.collett@lynn news.co.uk and we'll guarantee to give you publicity.