An artist’s life-sized driftwood angel sculpture defied the bad weather to raise £1,187 for Exmouth RNLI.
More than 450 people turned out from across the country to see the six-feet-tall crouching, winged creation by Brendan Rawlings yesterday (Saturday, February 29).
This is despite the inclement elements forcing the statue to be exhibited inside the Queen’s Drive lifeboat station and not on the beach as originally planned.
Crew members moved the all-weather lifeboat out onto its ramp so the artwork could be accommodated under cover.
The sterling sum was raised in just seven hours through donations from the public.
Brendan crafted ‘Your Guardian Angel’ from driftwood he found in Devon and Cornwall. Its hair is made from seaweed from Budleigh Salterton.
‘Your Guardian Angel’ with artist Brendan Rawlings. Picture: Robin Humphreys/Exmouth RNLI
Brendan, of Zen Wood Design in Topsham, said: “It was fantastic to meet the team and everyone made me feel very welcome.
“The day itself was very humbling with people traveling from all over the country, many staying in hotels in Exmouth just so that they could see the angel.
“It was lovely to hear how the angel has touched each individual person with some of the visitors staying all day because of the connection they felt to the piece and the meaning that they have attached to it.
“All in all, it was a hugely positive day, despite the weather, with a cracking bunch of visitors and RNLI staff and I sincerely hope that the money raised will help the team to continue the great work that they do.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting the other locations, connecting with more lovely people and raising some more funds for each station.”
‘Your Guardian Angel’ on display at Exmouth Lifeboat Station. Picture: Pat Atkinson/Exmouth RNLI
Robin Humphreys, chairman of Exmouth RNLI’s fundraising team, said: “I would like to thank Brendan for displaying his incredible artwork at our lifeboat station.
“Thanks also to the RNLI volunteers who helped organise the event and to all those who came along to visit during the day.
“The weather was disappointing but, nevertheless, the event attracted a very large number of visitors, some from as far afield as Birmingham, who came to see this amazing exhibition and donate so generously to our lifesaving charity.”
Exmouth RNLI crew members with the artwork. Picture: Jo Susans
The popular artwork was created after Brendan was asked to replicate a wall piece angel into a 3D life-sized sculpture for an exhibition.
He now plans to exhibit the work at a number of other lifeboat stations around the country.
Proposed locations are: St Ives (March 14); Newquay (March 15); Bude (March 28); Lyme Regis (April 5); Poole (April 12); Brighton (April 25); London : May (23 – 25).
