THE charity behind the restoration of Vanguard, the beautiful oyster dredger that helped rescue hundreds from the beaches of Dunkirk, is launching an appeal to find the soldiers – or the families of the soldiers - she helped to save. It is also launching an appeal to secure the necessary funding to rebuild Vanguard at a training college in Lowestoft.

Vanguard Restoration Foundation spokesperson, Nick Skeens, says: "Teaming up with Lowestoft's International Boatbuilding Training College means we will now be able to restore Vanguard to the condition she was in when she joined two other boats from Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex to rescue soldiers from the Dunkirk beaches. We are appealing to the public to help us secure the necessary money."

With her crew of local fishermen, Vanguard was among the first to answer Winston Churchill's call for private boats to help rescue the stranded British army, sailing from Burnham on 30 May, 1940, alongside Sea Salter, a larger oyster dredger and the yacht Ma Joie. The Burnham flotilla was dive-bombed and strafed as they ferried desperate soldiers from the beach to larger boats that were too big to get close to the beaches.

Nick Skeens says the foundation is seeking those who were rescued in those desperate times: "Six hundred soldiers were taken off the beach by Burnham boats Vanguard, Sea Salter and Ma Joie. Who were these soldiers? Can you help? Could it have been you, your brother, your granddad, dad or soldiers from your regiment? We'd love to know."

Eighty years on from the evacuation, living veterans are few: three who celebrated the anniversary in May this year were all aged 100 and over. But family members may carry stories of a father or grandfather who looked back in gratitude to Vanguard's heroic role.

Vanguard (built for working the rivers rather than the open sea) amazingly survived the harrowing experience, but decades later was sold and abandoned on Canvey Island. Vandals set her alight twice, others ripped her planks away for firewood and she was left to rot – a shameful end for such a heroic craft. But recently she was rescued by a group of enthusiasts who brought her home to Burnham-on-Crouch to begin the next chapter in her life.

The Vanguard Restoration Foundation, a registered charity, aims to fully restore Vanguard so she can become a living, sailing history lesson for schoolchildren, visitors and locals. The aim is to get her ready for a return to Dunkirk in June 2025 to take part in celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the Dunkirk Miracle.

The charity has teamed up with Mike Tupper of IBTC (International Boatbuilding Training College) in Lowestoft. The College will undertake the full restoration and use her to teach students traditional boat building skills. The whole project will cost £500,000, including scholarships so people of all ages can learn shipwright skills and take part in her restoration.

To donate to the restoration appeal go to the little ship Just Giving page here.

Anyone who wants to get in touch with regard to the appeal for survivors and their families can visit the Vanguard Restoration Foundation website here.