A lifeboat enthusiast from Carharrack near Redruth will be doing his bit for the RNLI’s annual SOS fundraising day this Friday.

Mick French will be putting his large scale model lifeboats on display at the Asda store in Penryn between 10am and 5pm in a bid to raise funds towards the support and training of RNLI volunteers across Cornwall.

Under the title of “Serving Our Seafarers” (SOS), Mick hopes people will enjoy seeing the models and put some money in the RNLI collecting boxes as a result.

A member of the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society, Mick has already raised nearly £3,000 showing off his models at places as far apart as Brighton, Blackpool and Cornwall. He also raised £183.51 with a display of Christmas lights on and around his home this Christmas.

Mick said he was looking forward to sharing his passion with shoppers on SOS day, adding: “My models always attract attention and I love sharing them and talking about them with people who are interested.

“With this event at Asda in Penryn I hope to persuade people to support the work of the RNLI in Cornwall by showing them the fleet in miniature. SOS day seemed a perfect opportunity to display my lifeboats and I hope people will come along and say hello on Friday.”

He thanked Asda for inviting him to display the models in store, as well as his friends and neighbours who went to see his Christmas lights.

“To have raised £183 when I live in a small village away from the main road and at the end of a cul de sac is no mean feat.

“All these amounts of money ensure the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews have the very best training and equipment so they can safety and successfully save lives at sea.”