The people of Thanet have pulled out the stops to thank lifeboat crews who patrol the area every day and night of the year.

As part of the nationwide RNLI SOS appeal, heartfelt donations came from schools, colleges, business, groups, clubs, organisations and individuals.

At Birchington primary school a sponsored non-uniform day where pupils and staff dressed as pirates, mermaids and sea monsters raised £285.

They even had a little help from notorious swashbuckler Capt Jack Sparrow (in the guise of lookalike Clint Stevenson, from Ramsgate).

He gathered them together on board the playground galleon - a far cry from his beloved Black Pearl but any port in a storm will do for Capt Jack.

He judged the fancy dress, while the RNLI’s education supervisor Russell Allen talked to pupils about the charity’s work and arranged to hold workshops with them in the coming weeks.

At Ramsgate, the RNLI crew sailed into the town’s Newington fish bar where staff and RNLI supporter Johnny Lewis from kmfm radio were on hand as generous support from customers and passers-by raised around £300.

Coxswain Ian Cannon said: “Even in a credit crunch people showed their support for the RNLI. We thank them for their generosity that keeps our vital service afloat.”

For more stories and pictures, see this week’s Isle of Thanet Extra