There are lots of ways you can get involved, raise money and have some fun at the same time.  Here are a few ideas:

• Have a Friday ‘dress up’ or ‘dress down’ day and collect donations from everyone who does or doesn’t join in!
• Get everyone to bring in their unwanted items (and maybe unwanted Christmas presents!) to sell.
• Organise a coffee morning - bring in cakes and ask for donations.

It’s fun to fundraise for an excellent cause. 

 Fundraising Resources  for the 2011 Lifeboat Fund Appeal:

• Here's the catalogue of fundraising materials you can order direct from the RNLI.
• Don't be stuck for ideas - A to-Z of Fundraising ideas
• And here's some planning tips: a "How to do it Guide"!
• Here is the order form to order your fundraising materials (posters, games, merchandise etc).   Just complete it and send to Bianca Fischer at the RNLI (Bianca_Fischer@rnli.org.uk - Bianca's ‘phone number is: 020 7620 7400).
• Sponsor me - this form * has just been customised for The Fund (and don't forget Just Giving link )
• And this Donations form could be useful too - and this one
• Need help with banking your donations? (check out this advice - and here's a Gift Aid * form as well)
• Finally, here is a Factsheet with information about The Lifeboat Fund.

* When you open these forms, print to see the form or apply 'Print layout' to view on-screen

 Why this matters -  some more facts about the RNLI  - and why we want to help:

The Lifeboat Fund’s only purpose is to support the work of the RNLI.  The RNLI is an independent charity, and does not receive any funding from the UK Government.  Its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards can’t save lives at sea without assistance

• Lifeboats need to be designed, built, fuelled and maintained, and their crews trained and equipped.  Lifeguards also need training and equipment  
• The  RNLI exists to save lives when people earning their living or just enjoying the water run into trouble in what can be extremely distressing and terrifying circumstances.  The charity’s own survival depends solely on voluntary contributions and legacies
• The RNLI provides, on call, a 24-hour search and rescue service to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland, and a seasonal lifeguard service on over 150 of the busiest beaches in England and Wales.  There are 235 lifeboat stations strategically placed around the UK and Republic of Ireland, which operate a fleet of over 330 lifeboats and 4 hovercraft. 
• Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and, since 2001, its lifeguards, have saved over 139,000 lives.

Each year, it costs a massive £148 million to run the RNLI (£405,000 every day)

- with every penny coming from voluntary giving!