AIBU to think that people donating to the RNLI to save people from drowning shouldn’t object to 2% of that money going to save children in poor countries from drowning?

I'm a volunteer with the local RLNI - no I don't drop everything at all hours and rush out in all weathers, I help raise funds. So if anyone is looking for volunteer work, I do recommend you contact your local RNLI supporter's association. There's all sorts of very worth while work you can do to help raise money for those incredible people out there on the water taking care of us.

I would have no objection for the money to go to Bangladesh- it is the wider pockets in that country to which I would object.

Considering how many of the crews on British registered ships or ships owned by British companies, many of whose crews come from the countries like Bangladesh, it strikes me as a marvellous way of helping the communities from whom the crews who bring us our imports come.

Just horrible to think that people would reduce donations because some money goes to Bangladesh or other countries where its needed.
Makes you ashamed.
As for the usual silly question about what happens to foreign aid - where is compassion and kindness.

Maybe they should put their own house in order before they do anything else.

I bought a lovely shopping bag from the RNLI in Whitby while on holiday there in May. I usually support them where I can. From what is stated here and I have not read the article, I have no objection.

Iam yes, little nasty jabs of racism creeping in. I noticed that too.

I have also read that much RNLI money is wasted by tourists who haven't bothered to check tide times.

Also owners of expensive boats who don't really know how to use them and have to call for help.
Sadly we still hear sometimes of fishermen dying while out at sea. That is what the RNLI was for, to rescue men working at sea not dipsticks on their hols.

I don't mind some of the money going overseas
I would like to see people fined for being stupid though.
If you can afford an expensive boat then donate when you are rescued. .
A lot of stupid people in the UK cost more than teaching kids to swim abroad.

A family member is a Lifeboatman , he regularly puts his life on the line for others, he and all the family are very proud of him and his colleagues. I am horrified that British people grudge the pittance which is given to save lives abroad. We should be applauding these generous individuals. Perhaps those who criticise should do a shift on a Lifeboat or give up a holiday to go to Bangladesh and teach children to swim.

I will not be donating again because I was not aware that the CEO was drawing a salary of £189,000 whilst also having a banking pension, meanwhile he is happy to have volunteers risk their lives for no remuneration. If he comes back and says that he will donate a percentage of his own salary to overseas projects then I will rethink.

trisher thanks for the info.

I just wondered if people had a choice where their money went

Harrigran, just to say before you withdraw your support you should check the salaries of other major NGOs. You might be surprised that 189k is pretty much par for the course.

Just because £189,000 is the par does not make it right.

It is heartening to read that the RNLI site crashed because there were so many people trying to donate yesterday.

Those withdrawing their support, should understand the outcome if everyone did the same.

I have 7 GGC !!! They come first.

EllanVannin, you may not know this but the government uses some of its foreign aid budget to support the RNLI overseas projects (such as the “learn to swim” ones in Bangladesh).
So the 2p in the pound that is being quoted will include this money from the government.

pink quartz, of course you're correct, the RNLI does have to deal with eejits. But the point is that the lifeguards and lifeboat crews are not judgemental - if somebody needs rescuing they are out there doing what they have to.

I will definitely continue to give to the RNLI

inews.co.uk/news/uk/rnli-rise-donations-story-criticising-overseas-work/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=ijp&fbclid=IwAR1cG1n4S3xQGusxkAIDdut9ekCHlFtYqNrtOiyfUZcs6E83IhS1Z2RdiWo .... Donations increased I'm happy to say.

It's only 2% of the total that the RNLI receives goes towards saving the lives of those living in Tanzania & Bangladesh. That's what the RNLI are all about - saving lives! I'm just watching the Jeremy Vine show and the people who are saying they aren't supporting them anymore due to this are ignorant!
I for one will always support them

Can you all not see that by providing a convenient water taxi service to those wishing to enter our country illegally, we are just encouraging others to follow suit?

WHY can you not see that?

So many of these are clearly not refugees at all or they would have sought asylum in France or any of the other safe European countries they would have passed through.

But no, they want to live here, don't they because we are seen as such a soft touch.

The only solution is for the boats to be towed back to France repeatedly until the message gets across that those wishing to come here need to follow the correct asylum seeking procedure.

It is not the job of the RNLI to 'save' illegal immigrants.

What a nasty post

Jennifereccles your post offended me in so many ways. I am speechless

It's the Daily Mail, so not even worth discussing really, and stopping donations is the kind of thing their readers would do - never mind that 98% of their money would still be going to rescuing people in the UK. I've just looked up the stats and although Bangladesh has about five times as many children as the UK, the number of children that drown per year in the UK is around 60 (still a frightening amount!), the number of the children that drown annually in Bangladesh is over 18,000. We are a far richer country than Bangladesh, why would anyone object to helping those children?