DEAR EDITOR -- I wonder if your readers know that their unwanted or broken jewellery and collectables can help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution save lies at sea.

Since 1986 our Jewellery Appeal has raised nearly £465,000 for lifeboat funds, which would buy six high-speed Atlantic 75 rigid-inflatable inshore lifeboats.

I would be delighted to receive any good quality items of jewellery, such as rings of all kinds, small objets d'art, broaches, bracelets, chains and watches which are no longer required. Gold and silver articles would be very much appreciated, as would war medals and memorabilia, decorations and badges.

The RNLI is supported entirely by voluntary contributions and legacies, receiving no financial assistance whatsoever from the government. This year it will cost £103 million to run the lifeboat service, which is a staggering £282,000 per day.

Our volunteer lifeboatmen and women are always ready to exchange the comforts of home for cold, wet, fatigue and danger in their quest to help those in distress on the sea.

Over 20,000 lives have been saved by the RNLI since the beginning of the Jewellery Appeal. Please help me to turn unwanted jewellery into lifeboats so that our brave crews can continue to carry out their vital work.

Roy Norgrove,

Jewellery Appeal Organiser

RNLI

West Quay Road

Poole

Dorset

BH15 1HZ