AN appeal to secure a lifeboat berthing pontoon has hit the halfway mark, thanks to Dow Corning wading in with a £1000 donation.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Barry Dock lifeboat volunteer crew and management committee took delivery of the cash and launched a fresh drive to help reach the £10,000 needed.

Dow Corning has strong connections with the lifeboat volunteers at the Barry Dock lifeboat station.

Chairman Stuart McMillan was an engineer at Dow Corning. Gareth Williams who is an active volunteer crew member is a mechanical engineer at the Barry plant, while Gerry Adams, the volunteer press officer and former crew member, is also an Occupational Health Nurse there.

Johanne Stacey-Davies, the Dow Corning Donations team leader visited the RNLI station at Barry with other members of the team, who had an in-depth visit of the station and a tour of the lifeboat and were overwhelmed by the passion of the crew and the volunteers.

Chairman of the Barry Dock Lifeboat management group, Stuart McMillan said: "Since launching the appeal in August, nearly £5,000 has been raised and we are eager to reach our target of £10,000 as soon as possible.

"We are continuing our appeal for help because we are so close to the target and it gives the chance for the residents of the Vale of Glamorgan to show a financial appreciation towards the Barry Dock lifeboat Berthing Pontoon."

Donations to the appeal can be sent to Stuart McMillan, chairman Barry Dock lifeboat, 42 Heath Avenue, Penarth, or contact Stuart on 02920 705234.