LONDON: A claim that donations to a British lifeboat charity are declining due to its involvement in rescuing migrants in the English Channel lacks essential context.
A widely shared Facebook post featured a screenshot of a Daily Mail headline regarding supporters canceling donations to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and stated, “The British people are turning their back on the once-loved RNLI. Donations from the public have started to decrease for the first time.” However, the post was dated October 9, 2024, and referenced an article from August 2, 2021, as evidence.
In 2021, the RNLI reported donations totaling £60.2 million ($78.6 million), an increase from £47.1 million in 2020 and £52.4 million in 2019. Donations rose to £66.5 million in 2022 before experiencing a slight decline to £65.7 million in 2023. A RNLI spokesperson noted, “As a charity, everything we do is made possible thanks to our generous supporters, who have continued to support our lifesaving work throughout incredibly challenging financial times.”
The 2021 Daily Mail article highlighted that RNLI crews faced verbal abuse for rescuing migrants in the English Channel. It included two tweets from users stating they would stop donating due to the charity’s “woke” policies, as well as a quote from RNLI fundraising director Jayne George, who acknowledged the polarizing nature of the issue and mentioned that a small number of supporters had chosen to withdraw their support. The Daily Mail didn’t respond to a request for comment.
VERDICT: The claim lacks context. RNLI donations were £60.2 million in 2021, the year of the article, increased to £66.5 million in 2022, and fell slightly to £65.7 million in 2023.
