Mark Davies

Why I am supporting the RNLI

Over the past year, I’ve found myself reflecting more on the quiet heroes who look after us - not the ones who make headlines every day, but the ones who show up when things go terribly wrong. For me, that led to one organisation in particular: the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

I’ve always known the RNLI existed. Most people in coastal communities grow up with their bright orange boats woven into the backdrop of daily life. But knowing of something and truly appreciating it are two very different things. It wasn’t until I learned more about the volunteers themselves - their commitment, their training, and their willingness to launch into rough seas at a moment’s notice - that I realised just how extraordinary the organisation is.

Volunteers Who Step Into Danger

What inspires me most is that the RNLI is powered largely by volunteers. These are ordinary people with ordinary jobs, families, hobbies, and lives. Yet when the pager goes off, they drop everything. They run - quite literally - to help strangers in need, often in the worst possible conditions.

There’s something profoundly moving about that kind of bravery. It’s not glamourous. It’s not rewarded with fame. It’s simply done because someone out there might not make it home without them.

A Charity That Depends on Us

Something else that surprised me: the RNLI doesn’t receive government funding for its lifesaving work. Every boat launched, every training session, every piece of equipment - it’s all funded through donations. The more I thought about it, the more it struck me as remarkable and slightly unbelievable that such a critical service exists because people choose to support it.

That’s a responsibility all of us share if we value the safety of our coastlines.

Real Lives Saved

It’s easy to think of rescues as distant stories - something you see on the news. But the reality is personal. People walking their dogs, kids swept out by a strong tide, paddleboarders caught in the wind, sailors with engine trouble, families in the wrong place at the wrong moment. These aren’t faceless statistics; they’re people just like us.

And the only reason their stories often end well is because the RNLI was there.

Why I Choose to Support Them

Supporting the RNLI feels like a way to give back to an organisation that gives so much. It’s a vote of confidence in compassion, courage, and community spirit. It’s saying thank you to the volunteers who train endlessly, respond instantly, and risk genuinely everything.

Most importantly, it’s a commitment to helping ensure they can keep doing what they do best: saving lives at sea.

If You’re Considering Supporting Them Too

You don’t have to donate a huge amount, and it doesn’t have to be money at all. Sharing their safety advice, attending community events, or even just talking about their work helps. Every bit matters.

For me, supporting the RNLI feels like the least I can do for the people who never hesitate when the call comes.