Thanks to a number of ‘significant’ donations just £40,000 now needs to be found.
And local people will have a chance to help close the gap on Saturday (July 23) when Minehead’s Lifeboat Day is revived for the first time since Covid.
There will also be a chance to inspect progress on the £1 million-plus scheme which will transform the 120-year old historic, listed building, delivering faster launch times and - for the first time - proper crew facilities including showers, changing rooms and a galley.
Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton said the challenge to raise £250,000 had looked a daunting one at the outset.
“Because of Covid we haven’t been able to stage our usual range of public events which has severely hampered our ability to raise money,” he said.
“But such is the level of support the crew and the RNLI enjoy in the area the donations have been rolling in steadily. They have included several significant sums from well-wishers, which have put us in a really strong position.
“We now have every chance of hitting that target by the time construction is completed towards the end of the year.
“It’s been really humbling to see quite how much goodwill exists towards the station within the local community and I know the crew would like me to pass on their thanks to everyone who has supported the appeal.
“It’s very heartening for them when they are out on a shout, perhaps in the middle of the night and in foul weather, to know there are so many people on shore willing to support the work they do saving lives at sea.”
The Lifeboat Day programme will see stalls and games operating in the old hospital forecourt where Exmoor distillery will also be offering a gin tasting.
There will be more stalls and attractions at the harbour from 10 am and a kite competition on the beach from 12 noon to 2 pm. The afternoon events include a hog roast at the Old Ship Aground, live music, and lifeboat demonstrations in the harbour from 2pm.
The event is also scheduled to receive a visit from the former Liverpool class RNLI lifeboat Cutty Wren, now berthed at Watchet marina. She is identical to the BHMH, the last conventional lifeboat to be stationed at Minehead before the station switched to inshore lifeboats nearly 50 years ago.
Members of today’s 30-strong volunteer crew will be at the station to show visitors around their two boats and to explain the work they do providing rescue cover along a 30-mile stretch of coastline from Hinkley Point.
Minehead RNLI operations manager Dr John Higgie said all visitors would be welcome to the temporary station from which the crew is operating while the boathouse is being remodelled.
“The new station is still very much a work in progress but at least people will be able to get some idea of how it is going to look once it’s completed,” he said.
“We have really missed the opportunity Lifeboat Day offers to meet our supporters and explain to people how the station operates and how the boats are launched - and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming them all back.”