NEW lifeboat equipment will be the icing on the cake for a little boy holding his own charity bake sale in Radcliffe town centre.

Six-year-old Charlie Simmons-Davis wants to raise at least £50 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and is selling cakes in the bandstand this Saturday (February 1).

Charlie’s parents Chris and Hannah, of Charter Avenue, are helping their son “rise” to the challenge by helping him bake his own cakes to sell alongside those donated from Radcliffe businesses.

Dad Chris, who works in Curry’s, said: “He is six years old and he thought of this completely himself.

“He wants to raise awareness of the RNLI and tells people his catchphrase; ‘you never know when you are going to need them’.

“He set out wanting to make £50 but he has already raised £25 so we are confident he will beat that target.

“Even £50 is such a lot of money to him and whatever we manage to get will be perfect.”

Chapelfield Primary School pupil Charlie became interested in the RNLI after noticing his uncle, who regularly visits Cornwall, had a model lifeboat on display in his living room.

He has children’s RNLI membership and is holding the cake sale as part of national fundraising initiative SOS Day, which officially takes place tomorrow (January 31).

Chris added: “He has always been interested in the emergency services and wants to be a fireman – but now he says he wants to work for the RLNI on his days off.

“On a visit to a lifeboat station in Lytham St Anne’s, he was given a list of the costs of running the centre which included £7.99 for a pair of gloves – this gave him the idea to raise £50.”

The stall will be selling and raffling off individual and large cakes, as well as sweets, from 11am onwards.