The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has reported a "significant" increase in donations and new supporters this week. This comes as the charity has been targeted by far-right agitators protesting over small boat crossings.
RNLI staff and volunteers have faced "online and physical abuse" following their involvement in a rescue on Sunday, which brought a dinghy carrying asylum seekers into Portsmouth. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, RNLI vice-president, described the intimidation as "frankly quite disgraceful."
Despite calls from some far-right protesters to stop donating, an RNLI spokesperson confirmed the rise in support. However, the charity also noted that some supporters have chosen to withdraw their backing in recent days.
The RNLI has increased security measures and advised volunteers to consider not wearing branded clothing if they feel at risk. They have also been empowered to close shops or stations if they feel in danger. The charity reiterated its core purpose of saving lives at sea and clarified that responding to small boats constitutes a small percentage of its work, with only 109 out of 9,058 launches in 2025 related to small boats in the Channel.