A SPONSORED row has raised thousands for a lifeboat crew in Essex.
Maldon Little Ship Club's sponsored row raised £9,000 which was presented to representatives from the West Mersea Lifeboat at the commodore's reception this weekend.
John Roger, the organiser of the event thanked the crews for their efforts in collecting the cash and announced a new charity event scheduled for January 2014.
He said "The sport of coastal rowing is growing in popularity along the East Coast and a gig race will add another element of interest and excitement to the traditional event which has provided family entertainment on the waterfront for over 35 years during the Christmas holiday."
Rick Boreham, the Deputy Launching Officer of the West Mersea Lifeboat, was presented with the cheque and confirmed that the money would go towards the new West Mersea Lifeboat due in 2014.
David Hiller, manager of Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust also received over £700, the proceeds of the Commodore's Charity which was raised from a number of charity events held over the last 12 months.
