Customers at Fiveways Co-op, Burnham on Crouch will notice a difference when they pop in for a loaf of bread over the weekend.

Staff members will dress up in fancy dress to help raise funds for the local Lifeboat Stations Floating Boathouse Appeal.

Meg Crawford, Co-op staff member and organiser of the event said “The theme of the event is ‘The Night the Ship went Down’ and the staff hope to raise £1,000 towards the appeal. There will be prizes for the best costumes on both the Saturday and Sunday and a cheque presentation on Sunday afternoon.”

Burnham RNLI is trying to raise £130,000 towards a new floating boathouse which will house the new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat due on station in 2011.

Claire Rawlinson, Volunteer Assistant Lifeboat Press Officer said “We are thrilled that the staff members at the Co-op want to help us towards reaching our target of £130,000 for the new floating boathouse. We have received tremendous support from the local community in what has been an extremely busy and difficult year for our volunteer crews. It’s great to know that the efforts the crew put in without question, whenever they’re needed are appreciated by so many people.”