RNLI - Inaccurate Campaigning

[Spirit of Glenans]

Ok, yes, knocking the RNLI gets done to death on here, and I am, for the record - broadly in support of what they are and what they do.

What really does "grind my gears" though, is that they are following the "media spin savvy" route of trying to bend statistics (lie, in other words) in order to use fear to make people dig into their pockets - a tactic which is surely must put more people off when they realise it, it does make me waver in support.

One of my friends recently attended a ROSPA seminar/meeting regarding water safety - he represents a small charity group promoting safety on one of the larger Scottish Lochs - they got sidelined while the RNLI representatives hogged the entire event. He got hold of one of the leaflets being distributed, and this, I think is a bit twisted:
The leaflets concern Child Drowning Fatalities, and yes, we are all concerned about that, an emotive subject likely to make us all want to put our hands in our pockets to help the RNLI prevent such a thing - but the statistics they use in the leaflet, if you read the fine print - includes INLAND DROWNING FATALITIES.
Now, I think it's bang out of order to that the RNLI charity, at any time they are consulted at FAI's about inland water incidents resulting in fatalities, distances themselves and make it very clear that is not in their remit and not cost-effective for them to attend or maintain crews for inland waterways, and then they go ahead and use the inland drowning fatality statistics as part of their charity fundraising.

Does anyone else feel this is particularly disingenuous?

S'funny, there's a RNLI lifeboat (rib type) on Lough Ree and there is nowhere in Ireland more inland than that!

 

[Sans Bateau]

Oh no, don't get me wrong, i'm not "having a pop at the RNLI" as in their core business - I am having a pop at them for misdirectional advertising and "hogging the limelight" at the detriment of other, very worthy, organisations.

Here is the scene : Safety presentation in Glasgow - RNLI are present, also present are a small charity who maintain watch on one of Scotland's largest (certainly longest) Lochs - The smaller, underfunded charity get sidelined because the RNLI want to dominate the proceedings. The RNLI are handing out leaflets regarding Child Drownings, using statistics including inland drownings.

How would you feel if you were part of the smaller charity? Sidelined by a larger charity who receive the lion's share of donations, and are incorrectly using statistics which would apply to your charity but not theirs, in their advertising?

OK, see your point. This of course often happens. We were involved with a small local charity in 2007/8, when the recession hit, it was the small charities which were hit first, hardest.

 

[511ace]

Just be glad that they are there, and hope your never need there assistance. As a volunteer I see the work that goes on behind the scene that many do. Not appreciate

 

[JumbleDuck]

Just be glad that they are there, and hope your never need there assistance.

Partcularly if you're on Loch Awe, Loch Lomond, Windermere, Kielder Water, Rutland Water ...

Nobody (sane) doubts the astonishing kindness of RNLI crews, but that does not mean that the organisation as a whole is automatically immune from criticism.