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RNLI report 2000% increase in donations after Nigel Farage ‘taxi service’ slam 

July 29, 2021 at 9:16 pm

Migrants arrive at Dover Marina after being rescued in the English Channel by the RNLI on September 11, 2020 in Dover, England [Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) announced it had received a 2000 per cent increase in donations in a day in support of its rescue missions for refugees, the Independent reported.

The volunteer-based charity was slammed by far-right Brexit Party politician Nigel Farage and others as a “taxi service” for “illegal trafficking gangs”, in reference to the RNLI’s rescue operations involving refugees at sea.

According to reports, the amount totalled to over £200,000 in donations yesterday alone.

Jayne George, the RNLI’s fundraising director, said: “We are overwhelmed with the huge level of support we have received from our amazing supporters in the last couple of days.

“We have seen an uplift in donations, with over £200,000 being donated yesterday alone through a combination of one off donations, new regular support and supporters increasing their regular donation amount. This is simply incredible.”

Many took to Twitter to express their support and praise RNLI for their work.

READ: Turkey opposition leader offers Austria $3.6bn to house all Afghan refugees

One user said: “My friends @RNLI have asked me to thank Nigel Farage and Darren Grimes for promoting their fine organisation, they’ve taken more in donations this past few days than they have in years.”

David Lammy, Labour MP tweeted: “Fantastic that the @RNLI received a 2,000% increase in donations yesterday. For every clown attacking lifeboat volunteers there are thousands of Britons who support them.”

Another user said: “Have just made a donation. The RNLI represents the very best that this country can offer. Proud to support“

However, a “small number” of supporters have reportedly sought to withdraw their support over RNLI operations rescuing asylum seekers.

READ: ‘Turkey will not be a border guard or a refugee camp of the EU’, officials say