GENEROUS youngsters have begun their mission to raise thousands of pounds to buy Burnham a new lifeboat.

Neighbours Charlie Wiggins, five, and Megan Flint, eight, decided to set up a stall selling sweets to help fundraise for the RNLI.

Over the May bank holiday they pitched up the stall at the end of Megan’s driveway in High Street and were outside selling sweets for almost 11 hours from 9am to 8pm.

Once all sales were tallied up, they managed to raise a total of £150 for the lifeboat station.

Charlie’s father is part of the town’s lifeboat crew, meaning the cause is close to their hearts.

Last week, the duo were invited to meet Dave Nichols, lifeboat operations manager for Burnham, to hand over the money they had raised.

Megan’s mum Rosie Flint said the children’s long-term goal is to buy Burnham a brand new lifeboat.

A new inshore lifeboat will cost £48,000, and can operate closer to the coast, making it easier to search in shallow water, close to cliffs and among rocks.

The RNLI introduced inshore lifeboats in 1963 and Burnham got its first boat in 1966 and was housed in a temporary wooden building next to the Petticrow Boatyard’s old sheds in Belvedere Road.

Mrs Flint said: “They were both outside all day on the Monday with only a quick break to stock up at lunchtime, they were having a whale of a time.

“I asked the children why they decided to spend their day today off school raising money for charity.

“Megan said that she wanted to raise money for more equipment and Charlie wanted to encourage more people to become lifeboat crew.

“They both said that eventually they would like to raise enough to buy Burnham a new lifeboat.

“Growing up in Burnham, and with Charlie’s dad being part of its lifeboat crew, they both realise the importance of our emergency services.

“They’ve already decided that they’re going to get back out there and raise some money for the air ambulance.”

The lifeboat station currently has a D Class inshore lifeboat and a Atlantic 85 boat.