WITNEY RECORD

Autumn's first stall raised a magnificent £550 outside Waitrose in Witney on October 12, a record for branch collections in the town.

The sum tipped the £6K mark for the year, bringing the £7K aim for 2024 firmly in sight.

Chair Dave Thompson says: "We may be the farthest branch from the sea but the support of the general public remains as strong as ever."

Helping man the stall was Dave's son Chris, who helped create the website back in the day and is now in England again after a three-year stay in New York as a playwright and script writer.

Dave says: "It's great to have Chris on board. We're looking forward to working together and with the rest of our volunteers."

Also helping outside Waitrose were Roger Battley. John Makeham and Tim Hayes with sister Steph.

Tim was back with Dave on Tuesday at a National Trust gathering in Abingdon where RNLI governor Gareth Morris spoke on the history of the Institution and afterwards the branch sold merchandise, raising another £155.

It's Abingdon again outside Tesco on November 23 followed by the last stall of the year. by Tesco in Faringdon on December 7.

Says Dave: "We're looking forward to a big finish - and breaking the £7K mark.