Looe Valley Rotary Club Donates Torches to Looe RNLI

Volunteers at Looe Lifeboat Station have received a practical boost to their search and rescue work after a local charity group donated three powerful torches to the crew.

The presentation took place on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at the start of the station’s training evening.

Rotary Club Visit to Lifeboat Station

Past president David Bunt and treasurer Paul Roach from Looe Valley Rotary Club visited the lifeboat station to present the torches to duty Launch Authority Dave Robinson and members of the volunteer crew.

During the presentation, David said:
“It is my great pleasure to present the RNLI Looe with an illuminating gift and thank them for all the valuable work they do.”

Accepting the donation, Dave Robinson thanked David, Paul and the Rotary Club for their support. Dave explained that the torches will help both lifeboat crews and shore teams during operations in darkness.

He said they will assist boat crews when searching at sea at night, as well as shore crews launching lifeboats along the riverbed in darkness or helping with shoreline searches.

Fundraising Supports Local Causes

David explained to the volunteers that each year the outgoing president and Rotarians from Looe Valley Rotary Club distribute donations raised through their fundraising efforts to nominated charities and good causes.

A significant amount of money is collected through the Wishing Well near Looe Guildhall. Additional funds are raised through bucket collections, charity fishing competitions, the Looe Island Swim, gala evenings, sponsored walks and quiz nights.

David added:
“Alongside RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station the Rotary Club will be donating to more than 10 local causes including SW Hospice, Cornwall Air Ambulance, Shelterbox and Looe Army cadets.”

Crew Watch Lifeboat Exercise

Following the presentation, David and Paul stayed to watch the charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II launch on exercise as part of the evening’s training.

📷Looe Lifeboat duty Launch Authority Dave Robinson (right) and shore crew Paul Barley (left), accepting the torches from Paul Roach (right) and David Bunt (left) with members of Looe RNLI volunteer crew - Photo credit: RNLI / Ian Foster