Lent Appeal 2006

This year we're supporting two charities:

• RNLI

• KidsOut

RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service up to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland as well as a seasonal beach lifeguard service on appropriate beaches in the south west of England. 

The RNLI continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. It is independent from Government and does not receive Government funding.

Throughout history, people using the sea have had to face natural dangers and hazards. From 1824, with lifeboats using oars and sails, to the twenty-first century, with lifeboats using computer technology, those in difficulty in the sea around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland have been able to call on the help of the volunteer lifeboat crews of the RNLI.

There are 233 RNLI lifeboat stations strategically placed around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Of these, four are on the River Thames in London, and three are inland water stations. 

In 2004, the RNLI:

• Launched 7,656 times - an average of over 21 a day 

• Saved 433 lives - an average of more than one a day 

• Rescued 7,507 people - an average of 21 a day

In 2004, the RNLI's Lifeguard Services:

• Were called to 8,010 incidents

• Saved 53 lives

• Assisted 9,041 people.

For further information, please visit the RNLI's website.

KidsOut

KidsOut is the national charity providing fun and happiness for disadvantaged and special needs children throughout the UK. 

Many of the children they help have physical, health, social, or learning difficulties, while others face less obvious challenges - such as coming from turbulent or financially deprived backgrounds. Whatever their circumstances, the children KidsOut supports need fun and happiness in their lives.

KidsOut currently puts smiles on the faces of over 40,000 children and young people every year.

They do this by funding fun days out and special activities. This includes the annual Rotary KidsOut Day Out, in which more than 27,000 children are taken out for a day of fun and laughter at over 100 venues all over the UK.

They also work with individuals, special groups and other charitable organisations to deliver a range of activities that are designed to socially engage and develop confidence for those children and young people who may not otherwise get the opportunity to enjoy such rewarding - and often life changing - experiences. 

And through their successful ‘Funds for Fun’ scheme, they are able to spread even more happiness through giving small grants to individuals, families, schools and groups for the purchase of special play equipment, toys, holidays, and outings.

Each year in the UK:

• More than 135,000 children seek help as a result of domestic and physical abuse.

• Of which, over 23,000 spend time with a mother in a refuge.

• 75,000 children are known to care for a parent or sibling. The true figures may be far higher.

• More than 20,000 children suffer from terminal illnesses.

• Over 3.5 million children live in low income households.

• As many as 1 in 100 children are born with a lifelong disability

About KidsOut

• KidsOut is an independent charity that currently supports more than 40,000 disadvantaged children, and their families, every year.

• While national figures suggest that as many as 1 in 3 children are born into poverty, KidsOut recognises that a further 1 in 6 children are disadvantaged or have special needs.

• Since KidsOut was established, it has helped to bring fun and happiness into the lives of over 260,000 children!

• KidsOut’s confidential helpline receives over 2,000 enquiries a year from people needing information on small grants, play schemes, respite care, and other funding organisations.

• KidsOut works positively with other organisations to fund and deliver a wide and varied portfolio of individual and group activities.

• To reach its objective of helping even more children, KidsOut aims to reach a net income of £1.5 million a year by 2008.

For further information, please visit the KidsOut website.

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B Class Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat
Length: 8.5 metres
Speed: 35 knots
Endurance: 3 hours at maximum speed
Cost: £125,000

There are 233 RNLI lifeboat stations strategically placed around the UK and the Republic of Ireland

One of the new Tamar Class Lifeboats.
Length: 16 metres
Speed: 25 knots
Range: 250 nautical miles
Cost: £2,000,000