A BURNHAM resident has left £16,000 to the town’s lifeboat station in her will.

Joan Alberta Savage enjoyed sailing from Burnham and moved to the town when she retired as a pianist, having worked for Butlin’s as a red coat and as a company ambassador.

Joan also accompanied a number of major acts at venues including the Royal Albert Hall.

On Thursday, July 6, her long-time friend and fellow red coat, Patricia Whitney, attended the Lifeboat Station as Joan’s executor to receive a tour of the station and hand over a cheque for £16,000.

Patricia said: “Joan and I raised money for the RNLI since moving to Burnham 25 years ago, because of our links through the sailing community.

“We discussed the charities we supported and Joan told me she wanted to leave some money to the RNLI, so I am delighted to be here to carry out my good friend’s wishes and see the use to which it will be put.”

Patricia presented the cheque to Walter Jenkins, Burnham RNLI treasure at a ceremony attended by David Nicholls, Lifeboat Operations Manager, Sir Richard Rycroft, deputy chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, and Yvonne and Geoffrey Charge, friends of Joan who assisted in managing he estate.