Thanks for a great year!

The Lifeboat Fund's Report and Financial Statements for 2013 have elicited much praise from our Patron and beneficiary.

The charity's Patron, The Duke of Kent, sent a messsage to say he was delighted to see the Fund had had another successful year, and sent congratulations and thanks for all this valuable work supporting the RNLI. 

The RNLI's Chairman, Charles Hunter-Pease, said he was inspired by the work of all who support The Lifeboat Fund, adding he hoped to help the charity celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2016. 

This is a summary of The Fund's achievements last year:

• The Fund had a significant year in 2013, recruiting six Senior Civil Service Trustees who are committed to helping the charity grow its supporter base and raise more, much-needed funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 
• We also decided to take stock of our operations and appointed a team to undertake a strategic review.  That proved very helpful; it resulted in a lot of activity to develop our resources and infrastructure in readiness for the future growth which is our current focus.
• The traditional appeal raised over £50,000 - thanks to our hard working supporters.  Along with payroll-giving, pension payroll-giving, a generous legacy and money from reserves, this meant we were able to hand over £185,000 to pay for lifeboat crew kit and equipment. 
• The charity is very proud of this achievement - and to hold its position as the RNLI’s longest-serving supporter and one of its biggest single contributors.
• In 2013, our lifeboats in the RNLI fleet rescued 277 people, nine of whom owe their lives to their courageous rescuers. 
• At the 2014 AGM, we welcomed another Trustee to the Executive Committee.  It is great to have a British Telecom representative back on the management team.
• We also welcomed to the team Sam Selvarajah, a professional fundraiser, to help the charity develop and attract more supporters.
• The Lifeboat Fund’s 2014 Appeal seeks to donate £280,800 to the RNLI, sufficient to train one crew member at every UK lifeboat station.  

We hope you enjoy reading the 2013 Report. 

(The picture shows Sir Peter Housden signing the ascounts at the 2014 AGM with Treasurer, Christine McLaughlin, and the Independent Examiner team: Gordon Jones and Matthew Emmerson of Reeves and Co)