Brothers turn to art to draw in extra funds for RNLI boat

Alexandra Wood

TWO brothers have joined forces to raise money for Humber Lifeboat in its 200th anniversary year. Former trawlerman Dennis Chapman, 70, from Hull, and Brian Chapman, 66, from Leeds, visited isolated Spurn Point yesterday to donate artworks which will go under the hammer later this year.

Mr Chapman, whose oil painting shows Flamborough’s last all-weather lifeboat, said: “Having been at sea myself, I appreciate the work of the RNLI’s lifeboat crews and know just how important their work is. It’s not something we should take for granted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Brian and I were both pleased to be able to help out by producing works to be auctioned and hopefully they will raise several hundred pounds for the RNLI.”

Brother Brian, who was a troubleshooter for the construction industry before he retired, carved a sculpture called In Safe Hands.

He said: “Wood carving is an art that we’re in danger of losing, and so I was delighted to be able to carve a piece that will help the RNLI raise funds while at the same time promoting the work of wood carving as an art form.”

The crew of Humber lifeboat have been busy raising funds towards a re-fit of their lifeboat, including new engines, which could cost as much as 200,000.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coxswain Dave Steenvoorden said: “We won’t raise anywhere near that, but up to now we have probably got 55,000 to 60,000, on top of what we normally raise. I think the anniversary has captured people’s imagination.”

The pieces will go under the hammer at an Opera dinner at Hull’s Guildhall on October 9.

Hull Trinity House stationed the first lifeboat – a rowing boat manhandled into the surf – at Spurn Point in 1810. The RNLI took over the lifeboat station in 1911.

Related topics: