A team of Ipswich office staff rolled up their sleeves and helped revamp a seaside museum.

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Picture: JONATHAN HUNTStaff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Picture: JONATHAN HUNT (Image: Archant)

The eight volunteers from AXA Insurance gave the south wall of Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum a fresh lick of paint in Southwold, following essential repairs by local firm Duncan and Son, to prevent water entering the building.

They were led by Jonathan Balls, raised in Reydon and Southwold, whose parents and grandparents ran Southwold Shoes.

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Picture: JONATHAN HUNTStaff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Picture: JONATHAN HUNT (Image: Archant)

Jonathan’s father and grandfather, Andrew and George, were both keepers of the Southwold lighthouse – and his favourite drink remains a pint of Adnams Broadside.

He arranged the working party following a recent trip to the museum, which the team also cleaned from top to bottom, including the old lifeboat.

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Jonathan Balls organised the team. Picture: JONATHAN HUNTStaff from AXA's Ipswich office volunteered to paint Southwold's Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum. Jonathan Balls organised the team. Picture: JONATHAN HUNT (Image: Archant)

One of the museum trustees said: “Their offer to help us was like manna from heaven.”