Supporter recruitment manager, Sharon New, brings us the inside story on a new breed of RNLI street fundraisers and recruiters..

This summer you may come across some Lifeboats fundraisers that you have not seen before. They are committed to increasing membership of the RNLI and securing regular support for the future.

They are motivated by the wonderful stories they hear from members of the public who tell of how the Lifeboats has helped them or their families and friends.

The locations they visit may vary greatly - from busy cities near water to the small seaside communities that usually hold strong lifeboat support. Team sizes also vary, depending on the type of location they visit and how busy they are.

You may see only two fundraisers in one high street or there may be as many as five in a large town. Whatever the size of team, they all get together at the end of the day and exchange their experiences.

The face-to-face fundraising teams work on a specific campaign, which can last as long as six weeks, meaning that they are living and breathing the Lifeboats for that time.

Their aim is to inform as many people as possible about our vital life-saving work and to ask for their support as a member for a small monthly amount by direct debit. They also ensure that they leave people better informed about the Lifeboats and with a positive feeling about its work, whether they sign up or not.

How is it done? The RNLI is working in partnership with fundraising agency DialogueDirect to ensure that the most appropriate sites are chosen and that RNLI-trained, enthusiastic fundraisers are available throughout the campaign. DialogueDirect have operated in the UK for the past three years and pioneered face-to-face fundraising in Austria in 1995. They have vast experience in talking to people on the high street, which they use for the RNLI's benefit.

The RNLI works particularly hard at ensuring the fundraisers are trained to a high standard and that their training is either at a lifeboat station, regional office or headquarters. They also receive ongoing training throughout the campaign. The supporter recruitment team liaise with our regional offices about when and where the fundraisers will be recruiting, so that the branches and guilds can be informed. They also ensure a member of staff is always available to assist with any unusual questions.

You will spot teams wearing Lifeboats clothing with the words 'working with DialogueDirect' underneath. It is important to be transparent, for the public to be aware of whom they are talking to, and that DialogueDirect fundraisers are paid and not volunteers.

Why do we do it? Alison Saunders, fundraising and communications committee chairman, considers this form of fundraising to be vitally important in reaching new audiences: The RNLI has always needed to recruit new as well as younger members and no more so than at the present time. The highly successful faceto- face street recruitment in recent years has brought the Lifeboats new members who may never have been approached by us before. These members generally continue to support the Institution for an average of ten years, which makes this a very cost-effective method of recruiting new supporters. At the same time, it provides the RNLI with regular income.' When will it happen? The street face-to-face fundraising campaign runs between May and September at locations all across the UK.

The aim is to recruit 4,500 new Offshore members, generating over £200,000 of income a year. Many of these members may later upgrade and give more as they become better informed and more involved with the Lifeboats. David Brann, fundraising and communications director, explains why face-to-face fundraising is important to the Lifeboats: 'The benefits of this type of fundraising are tremendousin terms of the amounts of regular, budgetable income it raises and the unique exposure it gives us to new, younger audiences. We constantly have to find new ways to recruit members and face-to-face recruitment plays a vital role in funding the lifeboat service, both now and for the future.' Why I do it Richard Thunder, a team guide from DialogueDirect, has been a street fundraiser for eight months. Before working with the agency he was a care worker for the elderly and Care in the Community adults with learning disabilities. When considering a career change, he was attracted to street fundraising as he wished to continue working in 'a worthwhile role'. As team guide he primarily supports and motivates the fundraisers while they are working on the high street but he also spends time recruiting new members. Richard's first campaign as a fundraiser was for the Lifeboats last year and, as his grandfather was a lifeboat crew member, he was particularly motivated to work with us.

He gives us the insider's story: Team guide Richard Thunder Why do you do it? This is a valid question when you consider that many face-to-face fundraisers have university degrees along with work experience that means they don't need to stand outside for hours on end, in all sorts of weather, trying to persuade strangers to part with their bank details. We are paid for what we do, some on a fixed rate, others on a performance-related scale. But we could earn more money, working fewer hours, in other jobs.

Is it for the fun - you all look like you're having a great time? Well, yes, face-to-face fundraising is, at its best, fantastic fun. It's about making people smile and feel good, and that makes us feel warm inside. But it can also be tremendously hard work, keeping going when no-one you've asked for the past hour has stopped to talk to you and your fingers are so cold you couldn't fill in the form even if they did.

Is it for the people? Again, yes, because there's a great sense of team spirit that is implicit in this job. We look out for each other and lasting friendships are rapidly formed. We talk to an amazing number of people on the streets every day. But we're also an easy target and often have to endure verbal abuse from disgruntled members of the public. So although money, the people and the fun are aspects of this job that we appreciate, there must be something more that compels us to get out of bed and onto the streets every morning.

What is it? Well next time you see a fundraiser in the street, stop and listen. One of the first things that will strike you is the passion with which they talk about the Lifeboats.

The simple fact is that we genuinely believe in what we are doing. Many of us are active supporters of the charities we fundraise for, making regular contributions or volunteering in our spare time. We are prepared to stand out in the high street all day - six days a week in good and bad weather, even when people are being rude to us - for one reason above all others: we know that what we're doing is making a difference.Lifeboats 200Although the RNLI was established in 1824, many lifeboat stations have been saving lives around our coastlines since the end of the 1700s. It was 200 years ago, this year, that four stations in the West Country received their first purposebuilt lifeboat, a Greathead-type lifeboat.

The four stations - Exmouth, Penlee (Penzance), Plymouth and St Peter Port - are celebrating this important milestone and each will receive an RNLI bicentenary vellum to mark the occasion.

Each of the four stations will be holding their own celebrations during the coming year and the Lifeboats 200 project will allow the region, as a whole,to mark the outstanding work of the crews over the last 200 years. What better way to celebrate these achievements than to launch an appeal to cover the cost of training? So, on 29 April the Lifeboats 200 Crew Training Appeal was launched with the help of the regional newspaper, the Western Morning News, with the aim of raising over £75,000.

The average annual cost of training equates to around 11,000 per lifeboat station - between £600 and £800 per crew member. Considering the level of training that is now required of crews, and the qualifications that they have to achieve, this is good value for money. It is easy to forget that crews give many hours of their own free time to carry out this vital training, over and above the time they give when their pagers alert them to yet another call out.

The Western Morning News will be running a series of articles on the work the RNLI. Every day, for the first two weeks of the appeal, the paper ran a feature on the different aspects of the RNLI's work and it plans to continue with regular features until the end of 2004.

The paper also carries a coupon every day to allow the public to send in donations to the appeal.

Within days of launching the appeal, donations poured in and, by the end of the second week, over £3,000 had already raised. Many branches and guilds in the area are also organising special events to raise money for the appeal and a number of external groups are being encouraged to help towards the £75,000 target.

If you would like to know more about the appeal or would like to make a donation or help raise money for the appeal please contact the South West regional office on 01179 444999 or email Dave Nicoll, area fundraising manager, at [email protected]'s lifeboats The Greathead-type takes its name from boat builder Henry Greathead, who is considered to be the designer and builder of the first purpose-built lifeboat. Stationed at South Shields, at the entrance to the River Tyne on the east coast of England, this first lifeboat was aptly named the Original and cost £150. She served South Shields for 40 years until she was wrecked on 19 January 1830. Greathead built a total of 44 similar craft between 1789 and 1810 that served at stations around the British Isles and abroad.A marathon challenge Running the Flora London Marathon isn't enough for some - this year saw a team of RNLI runners upping the ante with something extra special...

For those seeking a challenge, the Marathon is an exciting and rewarding way of raising money for good causes.

This high-profile event sees new and experienced runners raising thousands of pounds for the Lifeboats every year.

Taking part is great fun but not to be taken lightly - competitors usually spend a whole year training and planning before the big day arrives. To enter, runners usually have to get a place through a ballot system but many charities, including the RNLI, are given a number of guaranteed 'golden bond' places.

This year saw over 32,000 runners pounding the streets of London on Sunday, 13 April. Bright sunshine and the 500,000 cheering spectators lining the route created a carnival atmosphere. But the serious side of fundraising and breaking personal records was never far from people's minds.

The RNLI was well supported this year by 100 runners, including a select team of 11 who took it in turns to run with a 5m replica lifeboat. The lifesize replica D class helped raise the RNLI's profile and added colour to the day.

No doubt her 'crew' felt every step of the 26-mile event.

The idea of running with a lifeboat came from ex-Royal Marine Rob Lewis, who is no stranger to endurance events.

Rob and Clare Kavanagh, RNLI events and marketing organiser, originally considered using a real lifeboat with the runners pulling it. But they later decided it was safer to use a poly-sculptured replica.

As stunt leader, Rob had no trouble enlisting a team of RNLI runners who were more than willing to take on the extra challenge. The team comprised nine men and two women from all around the country: Tanis Hand, South Wales; Jennie Mclntosh, Pembrokeshire; Guy Savin, Surrey; Gary Friedman, a Kessock lifeboat crew member; John Read, Southampton; Paul Roberts, Cornwall; Will Carnegie, Lymington; Nigel Colverson, Huntingdon; Nick Cox, Bucks; and Andy Burns, Harrogate.

The boat and her crew were 'launched' from the starting point in Greenwich Park and excellent crowd support helped them on their way to the finish line at The Mall. At the Docklands halfway mark they were cheered on by lifeboat supporters who had gathered and decorated the street with RNLI banners, flags and balloons.Fundraising Rob said: 'We were met with disbelieving stares as we marched across the park to the starting position. The atmosphere was incredible, no-one could quite believe that a team were about to carry a lifeboat around the course.

'We were ordinary volunteers, steeled by a common purpose and had achieved something that we would remember for a long time.1 Rob Lewis Flora London Marathon lifeboat team 'We worked in four pairs, front and back, changing every mile. Each mile seemed progressively longer than the last and the crowds grew in size as we raced on. We looked after one another - checking aches, pains and fluid levels as we ran. The road and boat teams, as they became known, worked together brilliantly. For the last mile, all four carrying pairs jumped into position, with the three remaining runners close behind.

'When we crossed the finish line the team was elated. Family members crowded round our lifeboat and shared in the achievement. It was a special day for all of us. I felt immense pride in the achievement.' The team completed the marathon in a little over seven hours. They celebrated their success with family and friends at the post race party, together with the other RNLI competitors. All the fundraising runners were also able to relax with a well-earned sports therapy massage and shower.

Andrew Kellaway, from Southampton, was the first RNLI runner across the finish line - with a speedy time of 2h48m52s.

This was an excellent result, considering that world record holder Paula Ratcliffe finished in 2h15m25s. Andrew, who has been running for 12 years, has also successfully completed the London marathon in 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the Chicago marathon in 2000.

The countdown to the Flora London Marathon 2004 is already on. For further information on this and other RNLI events, including running, white water rafting, parachuting and fitness challenges, visit www.loadsmorefun.co.uk.An excellent way for branches and guilds to raise money within their community is to encourage groups, clubs, businesses and individuals to do a fundraising event for their branch or guild. Here is just one example of how this is working _Born to be... milcL The Ace Cafe in London was well-known in the 1950s and early 1960s as the haunt of motorcyclists, who not only challenged each other to race on the North Circular but also rode in large numbers to seaside towns on bank holidays. The cafe fell into disuse and has had many other owners since, but was recently acquired by a trust who restored it to its former 1960s glory.

The bikers have returned to this nostalgic venue in their hundreds but, instead of terrorising other motorists, now do a great deal of fundraising for charity.

Regulars have supported the Lifeboats for the past two years with a 'duck race' on the River Brent that runs behind the premises, but they now plan a bigger event. This year's duck race will still be held on Sunday, 10 August but a 'summer run1 is planned for Sunday, 3 August to Saturday, 9 August. The run will begin at Tower Pier lifeboat station on the Thames and will take in many lifeboat stations, from Whitstable along the south coast and around Cornwall - ending up at Weston-super-Mare. Those taking part pay a small entrance fee to cover the cost of accommodation and will gather sponsorship fortheRNLI.

Keep your motor running!Landmark lottery The RNLI celebrated its 100th lifeboat lottery at the end of January which, thanks to its supporters, raised over £210,000.

Carol Way, who is retiring from the RNLI after 16 years service, drew the winning ticket. Congratulations go to Mrs D Brown (Nottinghamshire) who won the first prize of £3,000 worth of Sainsbury's vouchers - we hope you enjoyed your shopping spree.

The cash prize winners were: • £1,000 + Sainsbury's hamper Mr T Verity, London • £500 Mrs J Weigh, Clwyd • £250 MrsJ Harrison, Northamptonshire • £100 Mr JT Buswell, Gloucestershire; Mr BG Amery, Gloucestershire; Dr JN Scott, Midlothian; Mr PM Millar, East Renfrewshire; Mr & Mrs Harris, West Sussex The spring lottery draw took place on the 30 April with High Wycombe branch volunteers drawing the winning tickets.

BRITANNIA IT f RESCUE LII First prize was a Suzuki Ignis worth £8,000 which was kindly donated by Britannia Rescue. Congratulations go to Mr J Read, of Buckinghamshire, who won the car.

Thanks to all who took part, the spring lottery raised over £205,000.

The cash prize winners were: • £ 1,000 R Palermo, Wiltshire • £500 LA Taylor, West Midlands • £250 Mr M Barlow, Ramsgate • £100 Mr ML Dormer, Middlesex; Mrs CL Hickin, Hampshire; T Pirrie, Glasgow; Mr DG Collier, Cheshire; Win a Peugeot 307 Peugeot have very kindly donated a Peugeot 307 S 1.4, 5-door car, worth over £12,000, as the autumn lottery's first prize.

There are also eight cash prizes, ranging from £500-£ 1,000, up for grabs.

Tickets for the autumn lottery will be on sale from 14 July. If you don't regularly receive lottery tickets and would like to, or have any queries, please contact Pauline Teivas-White on 01202 663219.

Peugeot 307amilton help Christine Hamilton, media personality and wife of former MP Neil Hamilton, recently gave her support to the Lifeboats - helping to raise £5,000.

Members of Aughton branch, in Lancashire, organised the event, 'An evening with Christine Hamilton', which saw 350 guests enjoying dinner and a talk by Christine, who was accompanied by husband Neil.

Christine told the audience that the RNLI was a cause close to her heart: 'My father was in the Navy, so I was born and brought up on boats. I used to go collecting for them (lifeboats) in Hertfordshire, where I grew up.' ; £5,000 - enough to buy a state-of-theart electronic chart system for an alt-weather lifeboat.Soap stars strut their st Cast members of popular Irish TV soaps Fair City and Ros na Run stepped out from behind the cameras in March to raise money for the Lifeboats. The soap stars set pulses racing as they modelled the latest fashions on the catwalk as part of the fashion extravaganza, Faith, Soap and Charity.

The annual event was enjoyed by 1,000 soap fans who shelled out €40 apiece to see their favourite stars as they'd never seen them before. 'It's a big chance to be walking down the catwalk in front of an audience that size when you've never modelled before,' said Killian O'Sullivan, better known to Irish soap fans as Lorcan from RTE's Fair City. 'I'm a bit nervous about it.' He had no need to feel anxious - the show went down a storm and is expected to raise thousands of euros for the Galway branch.1 Exmouth Lifeboats-1803-2003 2 Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboats - 1803-2003 3 The Story of the Moelfre Lifeboats By Jeff Morris Price: £3.50 each including p&p Jeff continues his research into local lifeboat history with these three new books.

Available from: (1) Mrs M Chandler, 20 Portland Avenue, Exmouth EX8 2BS (2) Mr N Robinson, 14 Sea View, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside CH47 2DD (3) Mr A Barclay, Moelfre Lifeboat Station, Moelfre, Anglesey LL72 8LC Please make cheques payable to RNLI.Hartlepool Lifeboats -1803-2003 By Bert Spa Id in Price: £3.90 including p&p The complete story of the Hartlepool lifeboats, produced to celebrate the station's 200 years of lifesaving. Available from: Hartlepool Lifeboat Station, Ferry Road, Hartlepool TS24 ORY.

Cheques payable to Hartlepool RNLI.Lifeboat viewing The Cromer Lifeboats Price: £13.45 including p&p (35% of which goes to the RNLI) This hour long VMS video tells the story of the Cromer lifeboats over the last 200 years and contains some unique footage from the RNLI archives.

Narrated by TV actress Bryonie Pritchard.

Available from Poppyland Publishing, 4 Alfred Road, Cromer NR27 9AN.

Please make cheques payable to Poppyland Publishing..