AN RNLI stalwart who has raised tens of thousands of pounds since starting his first rudimentary souvenir stall over four decades ago is retiring.

Dai Williams is retiring from running the souvenir shop at Aberdyfi lifeboat station after more than 40 years of service.

Dai joined the lifeboat crew in 1965 and in the early ‘70s decided to start selling souvenirs out of two boxes placed on tables outside the old lifeboat station, which was part of the old Outward Bound black shed at the time.

Within a few years, a space was found inside the shed to open up a kiosk-type shop and Dai was able to expand the stock and start selling second-hand books.

In 1991 the new lifeboat station was built and the shop was incorporated into it.

As well as running the shop, Dai was the mechanic for the lifeboat from 1989 to 2005 and the tractor mechanic until 2009, and served as chairman and president of the fund-raising guild.

Dai was recognised for his hard work as a fundraiser in 2005 with a bar to his gold badge. He also received a certificate of service from the RNLI in recognition of his service as a crew member, helm, tractor driver and mechanic in 2013.

In 2015 the lifeboat station was extended to accommodate the new Atlantic 85 and more space was found to house a larger purpose-built shop.

“After 45 years I am sad to be leaving the shop as I have enjoyed the experience immensely over the years,” said Dai.

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday