Grace Darling and her father rowed out to rescue the crew of the SS Forfarshire in a violent storm.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Tyne/Wear | Museum to sea heroine wins grant

The "Grace Darling", as it became known, had been on show since 1938, but was never cleaned to museum conservation standards.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Historic sea rescue boat restored

Grace Darling received national attention in 1838 when she rowed out to help survivors of the shipwrecked SS Forfarshire during a storm.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Historic sea rescue boat restored

But Mr Wake-Walker said Grace Darling symbolised everything RNLI crews stood for during the charity's 175 years in existence, "risking her own life to save others, selflessness and courage".

BBC: Victorian heroine's medal sold

The RNLI, which runs the Grace Darling museum, said it was not in a position to bid for the medal because its funds were spent purely on saving lives at sea.

BBC: Victorian heroine's medal sold