The following letter and a cheque for 3Q dollars from Mr, Charles de Burgh Daly (Chuck Daly) was received by his aunt, Mrs. E. Stewart of Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, and forwarded to the Courtmacsherry life-boat branch: "The. White House, Washington, U.S.A.

Gentlemen—Through the courtesy of Mrs. Stewart, you provided me with one of your life-boat collection containers. This has been docked on the window ledge of my office for some time. It will interest you to know that every time Richard K.

Donahue, a staff assistant to the President and an Irishman by heri- tage and instinct, has entered this room he has deposited a coin or two in the boat. He has even persuaded me to contribute.

The attached cheque for 30 dollars represents the degree to which our pockets have been lightened.

More power to the men who man your boats - may their elbows never weaken and their shadows never grow less.

Sincerely - Chuck Daly." soot battle was organized outside the life-boat house and a fashion show with the crew, their wives, daughters and friends as models. The crew displayed jeans while the ladies demonstrated beach wear and bikinis.

A 12-year-old girl at Byfleet raised 5/- a week throughout last winter by chopping firewood and keeping her neighbours supplied. The entire pro- ceeds were placed in a life-boat box.

There are, however, more painful ways of "lightening pockets" for the Institution's funds as a certain lady in south-east England found. She donated an expensive model hat to a bring-and- buy coffee morning and suddenly fear- ing her husband's wrath, bought it back again.

One of the most original ways was devised by Paignton Sea Angler's Association when they fished a competi- tion in aid of the R.N.L.I. They gave away over 1,000 scallop shells to visitors. In return the visitors donated £21 in small coin.

A well-known yachtsman granted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer filming facili- ties at his north London home and insisted that the location fee should be sent to the Institution.

The honorary secretary at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, organized a raffle on life-boat and regatta day. The draw was carried out on the sea bed by mem- bers of a sub-aqua club.

A farm house kitchen feast after an organized pigeon shoot in Co. Cork brought to light so much singing, danc- ing and story-telling talent that the guests departing in the early dawn begged the host to give another party.

He did so some weeks later in aid of the Ballycotton life-boat branch; raised over £40 and planned a similar "hooley" at the autumn lobster harvest.

A hairdressing competition was or- ganized in Scotland with the co- operation of Crosse and Blackwell and three local hairdressers. Spectators were charged 2/6d. a head, and as there were no expenses the takings were all profit.

A school girl in Fishguard gave up sweets for Lent and presented the result- ing £1 which she had saved to the R.N.L.I.

An electrician in Penmaenmawr, who often does very small repairs for which he usually makes no charge, now asks his customers to put something in his life-boat collecting box.

There was dirty work afoot at Walton and Frinton life-boat week: a flour and A family in Orpington has a hard ten- nis court which they often lend to friends and neighbours. Instead of charging for it they ask people to contribute to the life-boat collecting box.

An Isle of Wight publican used to pass a collecting box around his bar when- ever a glass was accidentally broken.

During the Christmas season when the breakage rate was high, the box often toured the inn with everyone contribut- ing.

A branch recently organized a car rally, treasure hunt and barbecue at their local cricket club. It proved a popular event as it involved complete families and their friends. Starting in the early afternoon, cars followed a pre-arranged route along which ques- tions had to be answered and various specimens collected. The route ended at the club.

At a garden fete held at Wallington, Surrey, an original feature was a museum exhibiting Victorian curios and treasures. They ranged from an auto- graphed letter from Felix Mendelssohn to a typewriter made in 1882. There was also a tooth said to have come from a horse which died at the battle of Waterloo.

One of the most curious ways of raising money was evolved in Somerset when a group of boys competed in a barrel race on a river. The barrels were lashed upright in the centre of rafts and the competitors had to paddle down the course. The event was made exciting as all the competitors wore fancy dress and the barrels were "dressed overall"..