The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills came on board and supported The Lifeboat Fund's 2011 Appeal in some style - raising a total of £457.97. 

In September's Appeal week, they ran a successful cake & book sale, and also put collecting tins and the RNLI's "SOS" badges in all of their staff restaurants.  The bookstall included a special item compiled for the occasion: a booklet of recipes contributed by staff - everything from "Mick's Danish Fish Pie" to "Estouffade de Boeuf" -  which proved very popular.  BIS also publicised the possibility of payroll donations to all its staff.

The picture shows BIS Permanent Secretary, Martin Donnelly CMG, visiting the bookstall with Chris Hewitt.

Thanks to BIS's sterling efforts, the sum donated nearly matches the cost of an all-weather lifeboat jacket.

The Appeal's support of lifeboat crew training, and 'kitting out' the RNLI's brave volunteers for dealing with the hazards they expect to face, has grabbed the imagination.  Early in 2012,  the overall Appeal total will be known and announced on this website, along with plans for the 2012 Appeal. 

Meanwhile, many thanks indeed to BIS and to every Government body and individual who has supported us in 2011.  Your help is so much appreciated - by all of us at The Lifeboat Fund and by our beneficiaries in the RNLI!