They are on call 24 hours a day ready to launch at a moment's notice to help anyone in distress on the water.

Now a crucial life-saving service are appealing for people to sponsor them or help them in raising funds for desperately needed new equipment.

The plea has come from the crew of Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat, a registered charity which relies on fundraising,

All crew, officers and support staff are unpaid volunteers.

Jessica Parker, administration officer with Sea Palling lifeboat, said: 'Although we are a small organisation we are very busy. We find it very hard fundraising when we have such a small catchment area.

'We need a new launch vehicle as ours is old and we are relying on the crew who do her maintenance at the moment, and we are in desperate need of a new boathouse, it is damp, cold and old-fashioned.'

She said they also needed to update all their kit including life jackets, dry suits and helmets.

For a lifeboat crew member to be kitted out with all the essential equipment, it costs £1,300.

Kevin Fenn, chairman and station manager at Sea Palling, said: 'I firmly believe that this valuable service needs all the support and donations it can get to keep us on service, and to keep people safe on their day out at the seaside'.

The independent station at Sea Palling opened in 1974. It is now one of only four independent lifeboat stations in the county alongside Hemsby, Caister and Mundesley.

In October last year Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat issued a plea for more volunteers to join their ranks.

Anyone wishing to help with fundraising or to volunteer with Sea Palling lifeboat should contact Jessica Parker on 078911 60476.

Do you know of a north Norfolk charity or organisation in desperate need of funding? Email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk