Our editor, usually a pleasant fellow, said to me "Mike, your title, Public Relations and Fund Raising Co-ordinator sounds important, but what do you do?“ This made me reflect on what we had achieved since the inaugural meeting of the station in the autumn of 1997.

The title of Co-ordinator is apt as our success in Public Relations and Fund Raising has been the result of hard work by the watchkeepers and friends of our station and, of course, allowed me to bask in reflected glory!

The opening of NCI Prawle Point on April 5th, 1998, was covered by the local press and also by BBC television and ITV, a memorable initial PR event, establishing our presence and raison d'etre and also swelling the ranks of our watchkeepers, supporters and donors.

Shortly after the event, I received a telephone call from a Torquay yachtsman; he and his family had been rescued from a sinking yacht off Prawle Point over 20 years ago and he wished to show his gratitude. He asked if there was anything we needed. I replied "yes, anything from a couple of paintbrushes to a radar set". Soon after, we received a brand new, state of the art radar which was installed and still maintained by Darthaven Marine. Through his help we have also received our wind measuring instruments.

Since 1998 we have featured on television and radio, in numerous articles in the local press and yachting magazines, all helping to keep us in the public eye - meaning recruits and donations.

The first Prawle Point newsletter appeared in the spring of 1998, the layout and typesetting provided free, for a year, by South Hams Newspapers, and the printing, at a discounted rate, by Nick Walker. Our original station leaflet, in black and white, was photocopied for us by Marchand Petit, again free. This led to the establishment of our supporters "club", now numbering 133, which has donated £5,272 to date.

Mike shows Jennie the ropes

Many local organisations, clubs and societies have held events for our benefit. Our members have 'shown the flag' at many events spanning an area from Torquay to Salcombe, explaining the nature and need for watchkeeping. In 1999 The Friends of Prawle Point - FOPP - was formed, with Jennie Bond as their patron; since then they have made an outstanding contribution to the success of the station by raising money to refurbish the lookout and provide us with essential equipment.

Chillington fete

Visitors to the station constantly amaze us with their generosity. The collecting tins and other donations go a long way to cover our substantial watchkeeping expenses.

Our biggest challenge came last year when we set a target of £50,000 for the new extension to the lookout. Daunting perhaps? But donations of £30,000 from Sir Donald Gosling, £4000 from The Cyrus Clark Trust, as well as £5000 from South Hams District Council and many other donations meant that by October this year we had raised £45,000.

People often say to me "yours is a thankless task". Not at all! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the help which is freely given by our watchkeepers and friends the last four years have been very rewarding. Mike Morris