RNLI loses donors because money is saving lives abroad.
Discussion
Should the RNLI fund projects overseas?
Given that they’ve been completely open about it and it’s only a fraction of their total expenditure I can’t see that they’ve done much wrong here.
“The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has been accused of diverting donations to give burkinis to Muslim women in Africa while laying off staff in the UK.
The charity’s spending on lifesaving schemes overseas is rising by more than 10 per cent this year. It said this week that it was preparing to cut 135 jobs.
Overseas “anti-drowning” projects funded by the RNLI include the Panje Project in Tanzania, which gives devout Muslim women and girls full-length burkini swimsuits and swimming lessons. It also funds crèches in Bangladesh, which it claims will prevent children from swimming in the sea”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rnli-funding-bu...
“The RNLI has made a strong defence of its work after people stopped donating to the charity because it used funding to save lives abroad and provide burkinis in Africa.
Earlier this week it was reported that the life saving organisation spends £3.3m of donations a year in other countries.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brits-cancel...
“Nigel Evans, the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley and a member of the International Development Committee, told the newspaper it raised questions about the RNLI's priorities and risked damaging its reputation.
Andrew Bridgen, a Tory MP, told The Times: "It is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, not the Royal International Lifeboat Institution."
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/mail-sundays-critici...
Given that they’ve been completely open about it and it’s only a fraction of their total expenditure I can’t see that they’ve done much wrong here.
“The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has been accused of diverting donations to give burkinis to Muslim women in Africa while laying off staff in the UK.
The charity’s spending on lifesaving schemes overseas is rising by more than 10 per cent this year. It said this week that it was preparing to cut 135 jobs.
Overseas “anti-drowning” projects funded by the RNLI include the Panje Project in Tanzania, which gives devout Muslim women and girls full-length burkini swimsuits and swimming lessons. It also funds crèches in Bangladesh, which it claims will prevent children from swimming in the sea”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rnli-funding-bu...
“The RNLI has made a strong defence of its work after people stopped donating to the charity because it used funding to save lives abroad and provide burkinis in Africa.
Earlier this week it was reported that the life saving organisation spends £3.3m of donations a year in other countries.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brits-cancel...
“Nigel Evans, the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley and a member of the International Development Committee, told the newspaper it raised questions about the RNLI's priorities and risked damaging its reputation.
Andrew Bridgen, a Tory MP, told The Times: "It is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, not the Royal International Lifeboat Institution."
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/mail-sundays-critici...
If it were providing training or support to lifeboat organisations abroad, particularly in resorts where British holidaymakers go, I would have some sympathy for the RNLI position.
Instead they are paying for glorified swimming costumes and donors might well question why their money is going on a spot of virtue signalling by RNLI mgt.
Instead they are paying for glorified swimming costumes and donors might well question why their money is going on a spot of virtue signalling by RNLI mgt.
It's in pretty clear terms on their website under "what we do"
"Our volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland, and our seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. Our Flood Rescue Team helps those affected by flooding.
RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives since 1824 but we’re more than a rescue service. We influence, supervise and educate people too. Our Community Safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast. And our international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world."
"Our volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland, and our seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. Our Flood Rescue Team helps those affected by flooding.
RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives since 1824 but we’re more than a rescue service. We influence, supervise and educate people too. Our Community Safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going out to sea or to the coast. And our international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world."
amusingduck said:
Why don't they split into RINI and RNLI and let the donors decide?
What does RINI stand for?Anyway, I've no problem with it.
World-renowned life saving service offers world-class training to places that don't have it, having said it was going to in its annual report for however many years?
Shakermaker said:
amusingduck said:
Why don't they split into RINI and RNLI and let the donors decide?
What does RINI stand for?Anyway, I've no problem with it.
World-renowned life saving service offers world-class training to places that don't have it, having said it was going to in its annual report for however many years?
Ah, it should have been RILI. Whoops. RILI can't believe I made such a fundamental mistake.
Shakermaker said:
What does RINI stand for?
Anyway, I've no problem with it.
World-renowned life saving service offers world-class training to places that don't have it, having said it was going to in its annual report for however many years?
and "offers world class training" means paying for swimming costumes?Anyway, I've no problem with it.
World-renowned life saving service offers world-class training to places that don't have it, having said it was going to in its annual report for however many years?
k off. You know exactly what it means, they clearly explain it.I don't give money to charities because their accounts tend to show they spend too much getting money instead of on what they do.
That said I have given a proper amount to the RNLI every year for over 30 years. Although they do blow money on raising it, if someone is willing to get on the water and come out to try and save me whilst putting themselves at risk, I want them to have the best kit available.
If someone fails to learn to swim because their imaginary friend says it is immodest then that is Darwin at its best.
That said I have given a proper amount to the RNLI every year for over 30 years. Although they do blow money on raising it, if someone is willing to get on the water and come out to try and save me whilst putting themselves at risk, I want them to have the best kit available.
If someone fails to learn to swim because their imaginary friend says it is immodest then that is Darwin at its best.
JagLover said:
and "offers world class training" means paying for swimming costumes?
Swimming costumes, those floats that you use when you're learning to swim, armbands etc, yeah, I'd say that is part of it, maybe even the little badges that I remember getting for my 5m/10m/50m/100m swim as a child and my mum used to sew onto my towel. Shakermaker said:
JagLover said:
and "offers world class training" means paying for swimming costumes?
Swimming costumes, those floats that you use when you're learning to swim, armbands etc, yeah, I'd say that is part of it, maybe even the little badges that I remember getting for my 5m/10m/50m/100m swim as a child and my mum used to sew onto my towel. The RNLI expertise is in providing rescue services at sea. As I pointed out in my first reply if they were assisting other rescue services abroad in training crews etc and in their organisation I would have sympathy with their point that this is part of their charitable objective.
What they mainly seem to be doing here is paying for swimming costumes as a virtual signalling gesture and some may consider that incompatible with an organisation such as this.
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