Forum Topic

Chiswick Lifeboat Volunteer Stars in RNLI TV Advert

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is one of the richest charities in the UK. Their latest annual accounts (2019) are here: https://rnli.org/about-us/how-the-rnli-is-run/annual-report-and-accounts. On p53 the investments are stated to be: £244 millions which produce income of £2.2M. The UK does not have a merchant navy and only a small fishing fleet compared to other nations. Most of the launches are in the Channel. Yachtsmen used to joke that the RNLI was the "yachtsman's charity". They employ full-time staff at the three stations on the Thames and all their kit is almost new and top of the range. The RNLI really does not need any more income.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 1982d10 Comments

I agree Una. They are a mega rich Charity... still reaching out for more money from an ill informed public.That's a massive amount of money to have in reserve.

Jim Lawes ● 1982d

Jim Lawes: Thank you.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 1982d

Should we put a cost on saving lives, would we be happy if they were ill equip to save us.

Janice Evans ● 1982d

Isn't the Chiswick lifeboat station the busiest?

Philippa Bond ● 1982d

"still reaching out for more money from an ill informed public."Well, there seem to be some ill-informed people here, concentrating on a few investment figures but ignoring the sheer size of the operation needed to support 238 lifeboat stations and 248 lifeguarded beaches. Total expenditure in 2019 was £197.8M.  The income to sustain that comes almost entirely from legacies and donations, and will have suffered reductions of tens of millions of pounds in the last year.Please support the RNLI!Oh, and Una-Jane's claim that "most of the launches are in the Channel" is untrue. Southern England launches in 2019 (i.e. the Channel plus Thames estuary and Bristol Channel) amounted to 43% of the RNLI total.Philippa:  Chiswick is the second busiest.  Only Tower had more launches.

Richard Jennings ● 1982d

A lot of the launches on the Thames are to rescue dogs and, regretably, would-be suicides. And the crews recover bodies of successful suicides. Basically in January 2002 the RNLI took over the responsibilities of the marine divison of the Metropolitan Police because of cost-cutting. That is why the 4 London stations have paid crews (Gravesend, Tower Pier, Chiswick Pier and Teddington). Many river users consider that the Met did a better job.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 1982d

As you mention this every year do you have a personal gripe with themapart from the fact they can afford to keep up and running.

Janice Evans ● 1981d

"..the investments are stated to be: £244 millions which produce income of £2.2M."Many charities hold investments to provide a reliable source of income, so that they can continue to provide services even when income from donations and legacies fall, which can happen when they come under attack from posts such as yours. "The UK does not have a merchant navy and only a small fishing fleet" As far as I know, the RNLI does not enquire as to the nationality or registration of vessels in distress before going to help them.

Richard Greenhough ● 1981d

The Charities Commission should investigate the waste of effort in unnecessary fundraising for very wealthy charities, if they are legally allowed to. And in the specific case of the RNLI on the Thames the River Police should be reconstituted and properly funded in the three sections of the Thames (upper, tidal and estuary).

Una-Jane Winfield ● 1981d

If a charity is managing its funds well I am more inclined to donate asknow it will not be wasted, personally don't think any effort in fundraisingis a waste of effort or unnecessary.

Janice Evans ● 1981d