A CHARITY dedicated to saving lives at sea is aiming to raise £200 after one of their annual collections was cancelled this year.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Romsey & District Branch is aiming to rake in the funds after their annual flag day on March 21 was called off, due to coronavirus.

Now the branch chairman, Chris Green, has revealed they have set up a JustGiving page in a bid to encourage people to start donating to the cause again after the public donated £1,227 on flag day last year.

Chris said: "Like many charities, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has been forced to stop most of its fundraising activities due to COVID-19 restrictions for much of the year.

"This at a time when, through the hot periods this summer, there have been record callouts for the brave volunteer lifeboat crews.

"One of the major annual collections for the Romsey branch is the flag day street collection, which would have been held this year on March 21, but had to be cancelled.

"This event usually provides a great opportunity for people to show their support and in 2019 the public generously donated £1,227."

He added less money has been collected this year, due to residents not being able to donate to their "collectors in the town".

To donate to the cause, visit https://bit.ly/3c3HSzW.