Two Wirral fundraisers have received prestigious awards in recognition of their long and devoted service to Hoylake Lifeboat Station.

Carole Jackson and Sue Webster were honoured by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s, receiving gold and bronze badges, respectively.

After more than 40 years of fundraising for Hoylake Lifeboat Station, as well as her role as chairman of Hoylake fundraising committee, Carole has helped to organise the annual Lifeboat Open Day, raising between £20,000 to £30,000 each year.

Carole, who was part of the active fundraising that paid for the new boathouse, received the silver badge 25 years ago and told the Globe she is “delighted” to receive the gold.

She said: “When I was first involved in Lifeboat Open Day we used to raise £200 to £300 which we thought was a fantastic amount.

“We soon realised that with the infrastructure we had, we could put on a day with attractions and aircraft displays.

“From there we have built the event up - it is now one of the largest events in the borough and regularly attracts thousands of visitors from around the country.”

Carole added: “It is hugely rewarding to see that our fundraising allows Hoylake and many other lifeboat stations around the country to have the tools and equipment vital to do the courageous jobs that our volunteer lifeboat crews do.

“I received the silver badge over 25 years and was delighted to receive a letter last week from Paul Bossier, chief executive of the RNLI, awarding me the gold badge in recognition of my long and devoted service to Hoylake Lifeboat, which I am proud to accept.

“I would like to acknowledge the work that the committees, crew and supports do to help fundraise at the station.”

Fellow fundraiser Sue Webster, who started fundraising for Hoylake Lifeboat in 2006 after the death of her father, John Cawley, was awarded the bronze badge for her work.

In 2008, Sue formed the Port of Liverpool branch and has since raised thousands of pounds for the RNLI along with her group of volunteers.

The duo’s fundraising has also helped the development of the new state-of-the-art Shannon Class Lifeboat, which is due to go on service at Hoylake by the end of 2014.