t&c 7 fa mwuta 1 wxwed 7fe j4jf*M*mqty6* M* me . , tyke* A U$Mt C4 CAlted out it M&*4 te we. tfat tte au faiid rt rt rto**'** Ate. 7 MI tat Mate dtktw* &«% tie ti ww4 wuf i* iU wwtt (mm ut Aiify ~ wtcoxtuv? to tie tfMtd $w«$.

eitfoi fave %wh toxtlto ewupMte wto Cfwet n fave «&te. wttit (pa tf&ji tkti dteatfytt A to fwxt «y tettei ix yw text Uttu Ian Ventham, head of fundraising and marketing, replies: I am very sorry indeed that you find what we are doing so offensive. I would, however, like to explain why we do what we do.

Of course lifeboat crews rescue all in peril regardless of the circumstance, colour, creed, nationality or degree of support given. I do not, however, think this would be a realistic way to approach people for donations and support.

The RNLl, in common with many charities, has always given greater recognition to certain supporters than others. Here in head office we still display plaques from the last century recording major gifts which funded lifeboats. We still allow generous benefactors to choose the names of lifeboats if gifts are at a certain level.

The RNLl has had Governors, recognised for the value of their annual or lifetime gift, almost since its inception. Badge and other insignia have always been available to Governors, who now number more than 26.000.

Some 30 years ago we introduced Shoreline as a membership device to enable greater numbers of people to contribute at a lower level than Governor, and to receive in the return, The Lifeboat magazine. Shoreline brought with it the privilege of being able to buy and wear various insignia items.

Partly in response to the frequently voiced criticism that sea-users were not supporting the RNLl in as regular and committed a way as many nonseagoers, we introduced Offshore just a year ago. As Offshore is aimed at those most likely to use the services of the RNLl, it is priced somewhat higher than Shoreline. Offshore now has 15,000 members, all giving £40 or more to the RNLl - some €600,000 per annum. Without in some way differentiating Offshore membership from Shoreline, there is no possibility that this additional money would have been raised.

In a ideal world we should not need to create these different tiers of giving.

Sadly, the reality is different.

lam charged with the task of ensuring the RNLl has sufficient funds for the present and future, so that our crews go tosea with the very best of boats and equipment.

The task today, as in the past, means that I have to encourage people to give at differing levels, and in order to do that, I have to differentiate and acknowledge the various levels of a gift. This is not a new phenomenon.

All gifts to the RNLl are received with great gratitude. All are acknowledged and thanked, however big or small they may be. We recognise that even very small sums may be sacrificial to the donor.

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