My thinking on this is straight forward - you pay taxes which (in theory at least) gets you ambulance and doctor/nurse type action, as & hopefully where required. It's invisible, taken at source so it's that kind of warm blanket type feeling of 'I know it's there if I ever need it'.
Well the RNLI are funded purely through charitable donations; we're all divers, and I'm not gonna leave something as essential as having the opportunity of having my sorry arse dragged out of the Oggin to chance!
Bren & Fiona - Govenors of the RNLI (and that's not a boast, more a symbol of the importance on which I place the RNLI).
Cost me about £150 a year, and I hope I never have the need to call upon there services for that )or any) amount - conversely, if my donation means that others may live/benefit, then it's money well spent.
Life Guv (9/10 years) here, like Bren, as a reflection of its importance. Ususally put in the money pots whenever I am at any LB station as the return on my original fee is probably not as good for the RNLI as it used to be..
Any sea diver should be a member, because it will be WHEN, not IF you need them.
As various Governments keep trying to cut back on the other rescue services, the RNLI and other lifeboat setups keep taking up the baton.
<font color='#000080'>I know that the RNLI have done a sterling job on the thames in the last year and a bit... and good on 'em
but I still think that the government wanted the RNLI to do the job, as it was much cheaper for them (HM theiving b*****ds) than using the Met Police River division....
<font color='#0000FF'>"Offshore" member since last year and always encouraging others to take it up, cheap at half the price and if you're ever pulled out of the water by these guys you'll feel guilty you only gave the bog-standard rate.
Heroes to a man
Like others on this forum, RNLI Governor out of consideration of value of the service.
Bear in mind that if you are a taxpayer and pay by direct debit you can arrange a deed of covenant (you can cancel at any time). This allows the RNLI you can to claim back the tax that you have paid to the government. Now I don't know about you but I know where I'd like my tax to go.
<font color='#0000FF'>As I don't live in the Uk & don't dive there I'm not a member, however whenever I'm there and see a kity box I always give a donation. Not many countries have such a charity and the british are lucky to have one, it makes the diving and all seafearers feel that bit more safe if something goes wrong.
Like others on this forum, RNLI Governor out of consideration of value of the service.
Bear in mind that if you are a taxpayer and pay by direct debit you can arrange a deed of covenant (you can cancel at any time). This allows the RNLI to claim back the tax that you have paid to the government! Now I don't know about you but I know where I'd like my tax to go.
Oh, and another reason why the RNLI is so important - not just for us divers - this from today's Telegraph:
"Currents carry four girls to sea
An eight-year-old girl was in critical condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, last night after she and three friends were swept out to sea as they played beside the pier at Cromer, Norfolk.
The girls were caught by strong currents on Saturday afternoon. A six-year-old was rescued by a lifeguard and two others, aged 11 and 12, managed to get back to the beach by clinging to the pier supports. A Cromer inshore lifeboat crew rescued the eight-year-old, who was resuscitated after being brought to shore."
<font color='#0000FF'>The Deed of Covenant scheme was replaced by Gift Aid. If you are a UK tax payer you should sign and return the form with your membership, this enables the charity to claim back 28p in the pound it doesn't cost you anything.
<font color='#FF0000'>Unfortunately this is only one of the first incidents of the season to which my friends will undoubtedly be called.
Again no doubt we will end up walking the beaches with lanterns in hand and dogs running in front looking for another lost child.
The life boat crews along here cirtainly earn their keep. But all of our gallant crews would appreciate a hand from the general public. Please to encourage the use of care by our visitors so that they may enjoy our coast line, and return home happy to have been here and to all come again next year.
<font color='#0000FF'>We might have 1000 YD members but there doesn't seem to be many who are RNLI members. Come on everyone, sign up membership starts from about £18, that is less than 35p per week.
<font color='#0000FF'>offshore member and donate regularly on top of that.
dont know if anyone was at brixham the other week to witness the fantastic display put on on a sunday aft, very entertaining.
if your not a member, you should rush out and join now!!
you can bank on it your gonna need em someday!!
quite entertaining actually.... the word was out for breakwater beach to be empty by 1400hrs and low and behold two divers had to be virtually pushed from the water by both offshore and inshore craft, much to the amusement of the four hundred or so people gathered on the car park.
<font color='#0000FF'>Have to hold my hand up, shamefacedley, one of those things I keep meaning to do but keeps passing me by. Now I have the link from a previous post I will do it now, just hope the doorbell or phone or whatever doesnt distract me in the meantime.
A very brave bunch of people who deserve more credit than they get.
<font color='#000080'>Offshore member for the last 3 years, always make a point of seeing these guys at the dive show and bunging them a few extra bob.
The Offshore minimum sub is £48 but you can pay monthly by DD so you'll never notice it, plus they can claim your tax back.
You know it makes sense
offshore member for past 14 years now i think,and donate all my yottie tottie prop clearing jobs to them.
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