The Royal National Lifeboat Institution

RNLI Stourbridge Branch is pleased to be associated with Kaleidoscope for the third year running. We are most grateful for the enthusiastic support and interest that we receive, and we express our warm and sincere thanks to the Kaleidoscope team and supporters. The lifeboat service is lucky to have such good friends.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded in 1824. It is a registered charity, depending entirely on voluntary contributions for its income. The RNLI provides the 24 hour service necessary to cover search and rescue requirements to 50 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and has a fleet of 289 lifeboats at 215 lifeboat stations. Lifeboatmen and women are volunteers with a full-time mechanic in each all-weather lifeboat crew. In 1995 there were 7,312 lifeboat launches (an average of 20 a day) and 1,632 lives were saved.

In 1996 it will cost around £63.3 million to run the RNLI. For every £1 spent, 84p is spent on maintaining and replacing the existing fleet, building new lifeboats and purchasing new equipment or shore facilities. 12p is used for fundraising and 4p for administration.

These figures show the importance of public support, such as donations received from the Kaleidoscope event. This support is spontaneous and generous and there is tremendous goodwill towards the RNLI. Lifeboat stations welcome visitors, and the public are encouraged to go and have a look to see how their donations are being spent.

We wish Kaleidoscope every success with their endeavours. They are to be congratulated on their achievements.

Chris Fonteyn
Chairman - RNLI Stourbridge Branch.

Kaleidoscope - The Classic Television Organisation

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