For a number of years, RNLI branches and guilds have been finding it increasingly difficult to recruit younger members or get them involved with their fundraising activities. So, two years ago, the RNLI commissioned an intensive piece of research to determine what was happening in the marketplace and amongst other charities. The research concentrated on how it could get younger people to support the RNLI, now and in the future...In total, 1,200 people, between the ages of 18 anc 40, were interviewed as part of the research. The findings showed that the majority thought the RNLI was relevant only to fishermen and sailors and, even though many spent their leisure time on or near water, they didn't consider themselves to be sea users. This age group also had very little time or interest to devote to long-term fundraising projects or to joining a branch or guild - they wanted a range of quick and easy fundraising events to be presented to them that they could take part in. It was time to radically re-think the way the RNLI approached this audience.

What is Team Lifeboat? Using the research as a guide, the RNLI devised a number of different, exciting fundraising activities and events, and tested them during 2000. These included some niche events such as white water rafting, cycle challenges and the Flora London Marathon and also some larger, mass appeal events - Splash & Dash (an It's a Knockout style event) and the Lifeboat Challenge.

The events were extremely popular and new supporters were, indeed, being recruited. These favourable results led the RNLI to launch the Team Lifeboat initiative in each of its ten fundraising regions.The Whitewater Rafting Experience Canolfan Trywern, North Wales - Sun 27 May Team Lifeboat's Whitewater Rafting Experience is a spectacular opportunity to enjoy the thrills and spills of Whitewater rafting on a first class mountain river. If you're brave enough to take part, or even just spectating and supporting your team, it's a day to be remembered and an excitingly different way to raise money for the lifeboats - last year's event netted over £20,000.

Daredevils from all across the UK and Ireland gathered at the National Whitewater Centre at Canolfan Trywern near Bala in North Wales on 27 May to tackle the rapids of the 'Graveyard', 'Ski Slope' and the world famous 'International Site'. Twenty five teams of between four and seven members took it in turns to familiarise themselves on a practice run down the course before the allimportant race against the clock, which was closely followed by a 'fun run'.

The rafts were skippered by professional instructors from the centre, who also briefed the teams in safety and rafting technique.

Many of those taking part had little or no previous experience but there were some who had done it before and were starting to show the competitive side of their natures! Teams came from all walks of life - groups of friends and families, RNLI volunteers, a ladies netball team, a group of army instructors, a supermarket team, pub teams and many corporate teams.

'We've never done this before.' grinned GeJets team member Gerry Greenhaf as he and his colleagues from GE Aircraft Engines kitted up and prepared for their briefing. 'Our company is always getting us to do mad things to raise money for charity. One of our colleagues is a keen RNLI supporter so when he told us about the event we decided to organise a team and give it a go.' When asked why they got involved Gerry replied, 'To give our full support to the RNLI. Working in the aircraft industry we feel that there is a real link between us and we will continue to give our full support in any way that we can. It also seemed like a fun weekend and boy was it!' To enter the competition, teams put down a registration deposit with each member raising at least £100 in sponsorship. Participants just needed to bring a towel and a change of clothes with them on the day as all wetsuits, lifejackets and equipment were provided. The RNLI laid on a barbecue for the hungry rafters taking part and mementoes of the day were available from the centre's photographers, Cool Fix, who donated 10% of their profits.

Once again the event proved to be a great success and a fine time was had by all, with many competitors getting a taste for the sport, 'Excellent!' cheered one newcomer as his team's raft crossed the finish line, 'I'm definitely coming back again next year.' Llandeilo Round Table won the day with a time of 3.42 minutes, closely followed by the Borough Love Gods (3.47) and the seven brave ladies from Aberdyfi ladies lifeboat guild, Dyfi Belles (3.51).

Captain of the winning team, Graham Evans was delighted to havewon the challenge. 'It has been one of the most exciting and enjoyable days we've had in a long time and we can't wait to defend our title in 2002,' said Graham. Are there any teams out there that think they can beat them next year?This year A total of 75 events have been planned for this year, ranging from dragon boat racing, orienteering and marathons through to six Splash & Dash events, raft races and paintballing. Obviously, with such a large number and variety of events, it ensures there will always be something of interest or relevance to a potential participant. There has also been tremendous support from companies who have sponsored events, or even donated staff to help out.

The way forward New technology will play a very big part in the success of these Team Lifeboat events. Email is taking over as the preferred way of keeping in touch and, as a result, a website is being designed where you can sign-up for an event online.

It is only with the RNLI keeping abreast of changing times that it can hope to build upon the early successes of the various Team Lifeboat events and position itself as the charity to support.Wet, Wicked and Wild Brighton, Hove Lawns - Sat 12 May Glorious sunshine and a packed seafront greeted the six eager teams taking part in Team Lifeboat's Wet, Wicked and Wild event at Hove Lawns, Brighton on Saturday 12 May.

The teams, who raised sponsorship money for the RNLI, took turns to battle it out in a number of fun and messy games organised by Graham Fisher's International Knockout, together with the help of local radio station Southern FM, who sent a hit squad to play summer anthems to get everybody in a party mood.

The game arena, reminiscent of TV's It's a Knockout, was decked out with bouncy castle-type inflatables, huge troughs of water, lively scenery, and a number of other amusing obstacles (including spraying camels!). Many of the games involved relay races in which' items had to be collected in order to score points. At every twist and turn competitors were greeted with water and foam, which made navigation of the huge inflatables very slippery and extremely comical. There were also a number of games which required team members to dress up in silly costumes and complete mind-bending puzzles, much to the delight of the gathered crowds.

People taking part on the day came from a wide range of backgrounds. 'Heathfield hippies', a group of friends and neighbours local to the area, heard an advert on the radio and decided to have a go. Bronya McCarthy of Aaron's Angels, a team from Seaham, exclaimed, 'Great fun! I did a similar event three years ago and I wanted another go when I heard that my sister and friends were putting a team together.' Emergency services were well represented on the day with lifeboat crew from Brighton and Shoreham and members of the local ambulance service taking part. Jane Faulkner from Sussex Ambulance patient transport said, 'We received a flyer about the event at the station and decided to put two teams together. We're not worried about winning, it's the taking part that counts. Really good fun and a great team building activity for us too.' A squad from local paper Friday Ads, who had been helping to hype the event, also took part.

During the proceedings members of the public were treated to a visit by the Shoreham inshore lifeboat and, if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, Brighton's Atlantic 75 had to go out on a shout during the games.

And the winners were? The lifeboat crew of course. Not only did the team win the event but all proceeds raised from sponsorship and collections went to the RNLI. The Wet, Wicked and Wild winners were presented with their trophies during a prize giving ceremony at the close of the games - a fitting end to a great day.A few of the recent successes This year, 120 people ran in the Flora London Marathon for the RNLI. Although sponsorship monies are still coming in, it is anticipated the runners will have raised over £100,000.

Last year's cycle challenge to South Africa saw 21 people cycle over 40km and raise some £60,000.For details of what's going on near you, please contact your regional office (see below) or get in touch with the fundraising helpdesk on 01202 663234 or email [email protected].

RNLI regional fundraising offices • Greater London - 020 7839 3369 • Eastern-01473 822837 • South East-01825 761466 • South West - 0117 9444999 • North East-01423 881000 • North West - 0161 787 8779 • Wales and West Mersea - 029 2045 6999 • Scotland - 0131 5579171 'from Sept01738 443255 • Northern Ireland - 028 9064 5645 • Irish Republic - 01 284 5050.