Re-member 1989 The 'Re-member 1989' scheme to fund a new Mersey class lifeboat has got off to a slightly disappointing start, although it is still early days for the appeal.

Although the number of new members coming in is low, the average amount raised per member is higher than expected. If we could increase the numbers while keeping the average amount at its present level that Mersey could be well within our sights.

This is a way in which members can help the Institution without any cost to themselves - by passing the form on to family and friends. Of course it could also make a welcome belated Christmas present for someone...

On the cards The special Access cards issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland are proving to be a great success for the RNLI.

Each card issued brings the Institution £7.50, and in the first month of the scheme new cards brought in some £80,000. Each of these cards will also produce more income from the small percentage which is donated to the Institution by the bank each time the card is used.

Anyone who uses their card and then pays off the balance at the end of each month can help the RNLI without any cost to themselves.

If you already have an Access card, with the Royal Bank of Scotland or any other bank, it can be transferred to the special RNLI card at no cost - and it will still bring £7.50 to the Institution.

Another application form is enclosed with each Winter issue of THE LIFEBOAT, so if you already have one of the new cards why not pass the form on to a friend? Standing Orders Many members may be unaware that when they change from a standing order at their bank to a new method of payment the bank will continue to pay the old standing order until they receive written confirmation of cancellation.

This can also happen when the amount of a standing order is changed and, unlike a direct debit, we are unable to effect cancellation. However, if you intend to leave your old standing order in place as a donation it would be most welcome, but please let us know to keep the record straight.STORM x FORCE CORNER Birthday News Storm Force, the RNLI's junior club for under-sixteens, is celebrating its fourth birthday this January.

An ever-increasing numberof letters, jokes and drawings is flooding in from many of the 8,000 individual and group members, demonstrating the wide interest shown by young people in the RNLI's work.

Their fund raising efforts are an added bonus - done purely through their own desire and initiative.

Last August, five Storm Force members were invited to meet the five young prizewinners from Iceland (see News pages, this issue), and joined them on a trip to Swanage. They attended an RNLI fete, watched the presentation of vellums to members of the Swanage lifeboat crew and were given a guided tour of the lifeboat house. It was a hugely successful and memorable event.

From this March, Storm Force members can look forward to a more exciting and re-vamped Storm Force News, with some full-colour pages and cartoon stories of lifeboat rescues, and news of Storm Force rallies in various parts of the country.

Membership of Storm Force is £3 a year for individual members and £1 a member for groups often or more. It provides an excellent and worthwhile present at any time of the year.

For further details please contact Storm Force Headquarters, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Telephone (0202) 671133, extension 239.

Just one new member each That's all it would take to pay for a new Mersey class lifeboat Make 1989 a year to 're-member', get a friend to fill in this form To: The Director, RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ Royal National rvJJT I I wish to join the RNLI, and enclose my subscription: 1 ..1 TC| Ofl| .

Shoreline tosdtuiion [ Member - £6 pa | | .

Joint Member (husband and wife) - £9 pa | | | Governor - £20 pa j | .

Life Governor - £200 or more |~~| | Name .

I Postcode 2/89 I R2/89.