The RNLI's presence at the 1998 London International Boat Show once again proved to be a great success. Financial income, including sales items, membership recruitment and donations, was up 13% on last year's total - £10,000 was raised by the hard working Chelsea Pensioners alone who rattled collection boxes at passing visitors.

A very unusual, but successful naming ceremony took place at the show on 13 January.

The Atlantic 75, Toshiba Wave Warrior, resplendent in the RNLI's new 'tango' orange colour scheme, actually formed part of the stand's permanent display (see below).

Simon Walker, skipper of Toshiba's yacht Wave Warrior which took part in the BT Global Challenge, actually had to clamber up on the lifeboat to name her! Toshiba Wave Warrior was provided by a donation from Toshiba and money raised by sponsorship of the four lifeboat crew members who took part in the challenge on board Toshiba's yacht. (See corporate fundraising report on page 40).

The four crew members; Jack Goldie from Largs, Haydon Edwards from Craster, Angela Morris from Fishguard and Chris Gaskin from West Kirby also manned the RNLI stand for four days during the show as well as crew members from Blackpool, Brighton and Queensferry.

Former Beirut hostage John McCarthy, broadcaster and writer, presented the RNLI's annual Public Relations awards to Ulster TV, the Western Morning News, volunteers who maintain the Institution's Lifeboat! gallery at Chatham's historic dockyard and Eric Ward St Ives coxswain on 14 January. John also signed copies of the new RNLI promotional video, 'Lifeboats 2000', which he presents.

The RNLI stand, manned by volunteers from the London area has three aims-to promote awareness, to encourage support and to promote sea safety..