She’s carried crowds of holidaymakers to the beaches of Southend, and crowds of soldiers back from the beaches of Dunkirk. Now the Medway Queen needs the crowd to carry her.

Built in 1924 for the New Medway Steam Packet Company, the paddle steamer was enlisted for use in the Second World War and became known as the Heroine of Dunkirk after shipping 7,000 British troops from the shores of Northern France to safety.

Enthusiasts hope to sail her to the 2015 Dunkirk Commemorations in Ramsgate – on what will be the 75th anniversary of the evacuation – and have adopted modern fundraising techniques to get the 90-year-old vessel into a shipshape and seaworthy state.

In a race against time The Medway Queen Preservation Society has turned to internet site Crowdfunder, hoping their idea will help them raise £10,000 by Thursday, November 13.

The money will go directly to vital maintenance jobs, including making the wooden deck watertight; making scuppers and fitting them to the promenade deck, and completing the decking on the lower forward saloon in order to have chairs and seats fitted.

A statement on the appeal site said: “This will be a massive event where some 60,000 people are expected to attend. Because of the PS Medway Queen’s part in the Evacuation of Dunkirk, we would love to be a part of the 75th Dunkirk celebrations.

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It is such a special event, it would be such a shame for us and all the people that support us if we were not able to be a part of it.

“In order to be able to take part, we need funds. The funds from Crowdfunder will go directly to the maintenance and restoration of the PS Medway Queen.”

The society is also hoping to create a museum dedicated to the Evacuation of Dunkirk within the ship, including murals, interactive spots and a presentation space to show films and more.

• Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/medway-queen-preservation-society-1 to donate