RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea, and last year lifeboat crew members rescued - on average - 22 people every day. There are 235 RNLI lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland and providing a 24 hour search and rescue service up to 100 miles offshore.
A staggering 95% of RNLI lifeboat crew members are volunteers who have everyday jobs ranging from doctor, teacher and housewife to fishermen, paramedics and bakers. When the pager goes, they're ready to drop everything and risk their own lives to save others at sea. The RNLI also provides a lifeguard service and last year they helped people on more than 150 of the UK's busiest beaches. The charity also has a Flood Rescue Team that is ready to help those at risk from flooding both here, like that in Cumbria in 2009, and abroad.
The charity ensures that all crew members receive regular training so that they have the lifesaving skills they need to do the job and stay safe in what can be an unforgiving environment. It costs around £1,200 each year to train each lifeboat crew and £1,000 to train and equip, to RNLI standards, one lifeguard each season.
The RNLI provides the best possible lifeboats, equipment and training to ensure that the volunteer lifeboat crews can do their job safely. This all costs money and is why every donation – whether large or small, is of great value to the RNLI and its volunteer crews and lifeguards. The charity relies on donations from the public, and is independent from the Government.
