The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has seen a dramatic surge in donations and volunteer inquiries after its chief executive defended the charity’s role rescuing migrants in the English Channel. The RNLI reported receiving over £200,000 in a single day, around 30 times its daily average of £6,000–£7,000.
The spike follows comments by Nigel Farage, who claimed the RNLI was acting as a “taxi service” for illegal trafficking gangs. In response, RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie told the Guardian that the charity had a moral and legal duty to rescue anyone in danger at sea, and said he was proud of its humanitarian work.
Volunteer inquiries also rose sharply, with a 270% increase in people viewing opportunities on the RNLI website. Fundraising director Jayne George described the support as “overwhelming,” noting it came from a mix of one-off payments, new supporters, and increased regular contributions.
While most feedback was positive, George acknowledged a small number of supporters withdrew their backing due to the “polarising issue.” Government figures backed the RNLI: Boris Johnson’s spokesperson called its work “vital,” and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said a “robust approach” to small boat crossings was compatible with the charity’s mission.
The charity also released footage of a sea rescue and shared testimonies from volunteers about the desperate state of those they encounter, as well as abuse they sometimes face on the beach. Home Office official Dan O’Mahoney praised RNLI crews and condemned the criminal gangs behind dangerous crossings.
