
The Lifeboat Fund announces 2023 appeal
The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (The Lifeboat Fund) has today announced its 2023 appeal to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
In its 157th year, The Lifeboat Fund has set an ambitious appeal target of £90,000 to help the RNLI save lives at sea at home and abroad.
The total raised will be split between four lifeboat stations – Whitby, Tower, Blackpool and Stonehaven – and water safety projects in Tanzania.
In 2022, these four stations cumulatively launched 898 times, coming to the aid of 186 people and saving 29 lives, contributing to the 9,312 times RNLI lifeboats launched and the 506 lives saved last year.
The improvements and development of facilities at the four lifeboat stations using the funding from this appeal will make a huge difference to the charity’s lifesaving volunteers.
The money raised will provide RNLI volunteers and crew with the environment they need to maintain a world-class lifesaving service and continue to launch to those in trouble at sea.
The RNLI’s work in Tanzania, in partnership with local organisations, helps give vital water safety education to children at risk of drowning and to support fishers in the country to help make the industry safer.
109,000 fishers in the African nation rely on Lake Victoria for their livelihood, yet artisanal (small-scale, low-tech) fishing can be particularly hazardous as fishers work alone or in small groups, often with no protective or communications equipment.
A portion of the money raised in this year’s appeal will go towards improving weather information transmission, interpretation and use by these fishers as well as supporting community water safety and awareness projects.
Chair of The Lifeboat Fund, Sir Jeremy Fleming, said: ‘I’m pleased to be announcing the start of our 2023 fundraising appeal. The diversity of the projects reflects our geographical presence in the Civil Service. Our trustees and fundraisers have worked hard to reposition the charity, building on past successes and gaining new supporters. I am delighted the RNLI regards us as the principal conduit for civil servants supporting its work, and I look forward to some great fundraising efforts throughout the year.’
RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, said: ‘We are extremely grateful The Lifeboat Fund has chosen to support some of our busiest lifeboat stations in the UK and is pledging support for one of our international projects to promote water safety in Tanzania, a country which has suffered a series of large-scale tragedies in its waters.
‘The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund has generously supported the RNLI since 1866, providing vital funds to keep our volunteers safe when they risk their lives to assist others. Supporting The Lifeboat Fund charity is the best way for civil and public servants to help save lives at sea. I encourage all civil servants, both serving and retired, to show their support for the RNLI by donating to their very own Lifeboat Fund charity.’
Founded in 1866, The Lifeboat Fund is the RNLI's longest-standing contributor and its single biggest donor. For the 150th anniversary appeal in 2021, The Lifeboat Fund raised money between 2015 to 2018 for “Civil Service 53”, a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat to be named “Duke of Edinburgh”, which went into service at Wells-next-the-Sea in October 2022.
Visit www.thelifeboatfund.org.uk for more information.
Notes to editors
· Financial contributions to The Lifeboat Fund come from appeals delivered by volunteers across the Civil Service including from pension and payroll giving - by UK civil servants and staff of Royal Mail and British Telecom.
· The public service charity’s sole purpose is supporting the lifesaving work of the RNLI. It has funded 54 lifeboats, paid for equipment and training for RNLI crews and lifeguards, funded lifeguarded beaches, and supported the RNLI’s international work. It has also made a significant contribution to the present Tower Lifeboat Station in funding its pier and a previous lifeboat.
· The Lifeboat Fund is an impressive example of public servants’ commitment to social responsibility, demonstrating how much they want to help the RNLI’s brave volunteers stay safe when risking their lives to save others. It is how the Civil Service and other public sector supporters across the UK – both serving and retired - show their support for the RNLI.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.