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2020-12-31-accounts

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2020

1866 - 2020

H-001 Standing in for Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service 45) at RNLI Hunstanton © The Lifeboat Fund

The Lifeboat Fund is a fundraising charity which exists solely to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s work to save lives at sea. The Fund was established in 1866 and, since then, has provided the RNLI with 52 boats (funded 53) and significant extra assistance.

The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (The Lifeboat Fund) Patron: HRH The Duke of Kent Registered Charity Numbers: 248421 (England and Wales) and SC041904 (Scotland)

THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

CONTENTS

Chair’s Report for 2020 ........................................................................................................ 2 Honorary Secretary’s Report for 2020 ................................................................................. 3 Trustees’ Report for 2020 .................................................................................................... 4 Our Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 4 Headline News ..................................................................................................................... 5 Thanks to Our Friends for all Their Support ..................................................................... 5 Farewell to John Jarvis, Trustee for Retired Civil Servants .............................................. 5 Green Light for Golf – COVID-19 Doesn’t Stop Scottish Government.............................. 5 Our Digital Presence ............................................................................................................ 6 Online Donation Services – A Digital Revolution .............................................................. 6 Gift Aid ............................................................................................................................. 7 Payroll Giving and Pension Payroll Giving ....................................................................... 7 Legacies ........................................................................................................................... 7 Our Lifeboats ....................................................................................................................... 8 Trustees, the Council and Responsibilities ........................................................................ 10 Trustees ......................................................................................................................... 10 Trustees’ Responsibilities ............................................................................................... 12 2020 Financial Summary ................................................................................................... 13 Analysis of Donations and Legacies Received ............................................................... 13 Use of Funds .................................................................................................................. 13 Risk Management .......................................................................................................... 14 Remuneration To Charity Trustees ................................................................................ 14 Relationship with Other Charities ................................................................................... 14 Independent Examiner’s Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2020 .......................... 15 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Lifeboat Fund (‘the charity’) ..... 15 Responsibilities and Basis of Report .............................................................................. 15 Independent Examiner’s Statement ............................................................................... 15 Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st December 2020 ....................... 17 Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020 ..................................................................... 18 Notes to the Accounts .................................................................................................... 19 Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020 ................... 22 How to Contact Us ............................................................................................................. 31

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Chair’s Report for 2020

It is a pleasure to present the 2020 Annual Report for The Lifeboat Fund. While 2020 was not the year we planned, we have continued behind the scenes and prepared for the future. We have a long history of unwavering support to the RNLI, and we will continue for many more years.

This year provided the most challenging fundraising environment we have seen since World War II. However,

your fundraising and our volunteers have still managed to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Lifeboat Fund. This is a remarkable achievement and is a direct result of your dedication and commitment.

Whilst our fundraising has been affected by the pandemic, we have made great progress with our strategy and preparations for future events. Even in the pandemic, we have still seen heroic efforts to continue with a wide range of activities, with the Scottish Government managing to continue with their Golf Tournament between lockdowns. Many changes had to be made to have a COVID-Secure environment, but it shows the dedication of our fundraisers to carry on their work which saves lives.

Nevertheless, 2021 and beyond will remain challenging. With the reduction in fundraising across the Charity Sector, the RNLI has adjusted its approach. Changes to priorities and projects will allow the RNLI to continue its essential lifesaving work and we will need to be flexible and innovative in how we support them. Our partnership with the RNLI has strengthened and deepened throughout the year and we look forward to supporting their new projects and priorities.

As we change, it’s inevitable that the Fund’s core team changes too. I would like to say thank you to John Jarvis who has been our Trustee for the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance. John is retiring as a trustee after nearly 20 years with the Lifeboat Fund. While we sadly lose John, we welcome his replacement, Frank Edwards to continue his great work. We wish John a long and happy retirement and Frank the best in his new role.

I would also like to thank every single person who has raised money for the Lifeboat Fund over the past year. All of you have made a direct contribution to the RNLI’s ability to save lives. We all know that this year will continue to be difficult. But as we emerge from the worst stages of the pandemic, I look forward to helping to reinvigorate our approach and shifting our focus to RNLI 2024, the 200[th] Anniversary of the RNLI.

Jeremy Fleming

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Honorary Secretary’s Report for 2020

Our preparations for RNLI 2024 have begun and despite the pandemic, we have made good progress with many workstreams from repositioning to finailising our Fundraising Strategy. We have begun the implementation of the Strategy with an intial focus on Grow Presence and in 2021, we will continute to focus on Grow Presence with Grow Income closely behind as we develop digial fundraising routes and host fundraising events. The tenants of our Fundraising Strategy have been shared with a Cross Government Group who using it, have gone from strength to strength so I am confident in our approach.

While 2020 saw a stark reduction in fundraising, the behind the scenes work of our teams will stand us in good stead for many years. Looking forward to 2021, we have a series of promising events lined up which will establish new supporters and new markets. The Lifeboat Fund has survived many events since its establishment in 1866 and will weather many more. The lifeboats we support have evolved over the years and we will do the same.

I would like to join others in expressing my thanks to John Jarvis who is retiring from the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance. John has been a trustee for nearly 20 years and has been invaluable in developing the relationship with the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance. I wish John the very best for the future and make a warm welcome to Frank Edwards as his replacement. Frank will continue Johns work and I wish him the very best in his role.

As we emerge from the Pandemic, we will continue to focus on our expansion across the Civil Service and ensure our fundraisers have the support they need to build on their amazing work. We will move into the Grow Income and Grow Resilience phases of our strategy as we build towards RNLI 2024 and captialise on our Grow Presence work. Our preparation will support all members of The Lifboat Fund and our future fundraising campaigns for many years.

Tom Hill

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Trustees’ Report for 2020

This is the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements of the Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2020. The Trustees confirm that the Report and Financial Statements comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on ‘public benefit’ and all pertinent guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Our Purpose

The Lifeboat Fund has one sole purpose. That purpose inspired the charity’s creation and the vision underpinning all that it does. Since 1866, the charity has existed to support the vital work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), saving lives and rescuing people at sea, on our rivers and from floods.

Each year we agree with the RNLI the priorities it wants us to support through our appeal. These will always concern important aspects of its work that need our help. For many years, The Lifeboat Fund focused its efforts on purchasing new lifeboats. More recently, the RNLI has asked us to help with other priorities. Its lifeboats were lasting longer, and ongoing maintenance had reduced the need for new boats. When new boats are required, including the state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat, the RNLI has developed its own in-house facility at Poole to build and maintain all-weather lifeboats. To celebrate our 150[th] anniversary supporting the RNLI, we have been set a target to raise money to fund and name a new Shannon class lifeboat for the crew at Wells-next-the-sea in Norfolk.

We primarily use our position as the Civil Service’s oldest charity to launch our appeal for contributions to staff of the Civil Service. We also seek to promote the appeal to current and former employees of the Civil Service, Public Sector, British Telecom (BT), Royal Mail, and other friends of the charity. Supporters are encouraged to fundraise. While retired civil servants and Royal Mail pensioners subscribe mainly through pension payroll, BT staff prefer the use of payroll giving.

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Headline News

Our excellent supporters rallied again and raised over £70,000 through a combination of legacies, traditional appeal of payroll giving, donations and Gift Aid. This, as ever, was supplemented by giving from both pension, and payroll. The charity’s Trustees are most grateful to all our supporters, donors and volunteers who continue to climb on board our appeal at a time when so many other worthwhile causes compete for your time and money. Your support has helped these brave volunteers to save lives at sea and return safely to their loved ones. It is thanks to your support that the Lifeboat Fund maintains its position as the RNLI’s longest-standing supporter and one of its largest single contributors.

Thanks to Our Friends for all Their Support

This Report provides a great chance to say thanks to several organisations which support the charity and its appeals. The Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance kindly continued to publish The Fund’s articles in every second quarterly edition of “The Pensioner”. The Fund is delighted once more to record warm thanks to all those clubs belonging to HASSRA which held fundraising events for our appeal. HASSRA is the Sports and Leisure Association for current and former staff of the Department for Work & Pensions, the Department of Health, the Food Standards Agency, and those bodies’ Executive Agencies – we greatly value their support of this charity. Scottish Government’s appeal was well supported for another year by a couple of corporate partners who are also firm friends of the cause. We encourage all supporter bodies to consider working with corporate suppliers to boost your annual appeals through similar partnerships.

Farewell to John Jarvis, Trustee for Retired Civil Servants

All good things must come to an end but goodbyes are never easy. John Jarvis, our Trustee for Retired Civil Servants is retiring from the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance. John has been with The Lifeboat Fund since March 2002 where we had funded 43 Lifeboats. In the nearly 20 years John has been with us, 10 additional lifeboats have been funded along with a host of other projects from Lifeboat Pier in Central London to providing places for Swim Safe. Moreover, John has led and developed the Partnership with the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance and we are really grateful for their support. As John departs onto a long and happy retirement, we welcome Frank Edwards who will continue John’s amazing work, hopefully for another 20 years.

Green Light for Golf – COVID-19 Doesn’t Stop Scottish Government

It seems the Scottish Governments support for The Lifeboat Fund is unstoppable, even COVID-19 didn’t stop their annual golf event! Director of Fundraising and Trustee for Scottish Government Angela Saunders was determined to hold her annual golf event and with a COVID secure environment, the event was a success with over £1,100 raised. Its running in 2021 too so book your place now!

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Our Digital Presence

Director of Communications Clare Parker has been hard at work on the Lifeboat Fund Website and Twitter account. Our refreshed website has been operating for almost 5 years and is undergoing more and more updates. www.thelifeboatfund.org.uk, launched in 2016 has an average of 200 visitors per month and is compatible with mobile devices. The website is a modern design and includes articles of our fundraisers. You can also contact us using the website via the contact us form. Whether it is an inspiring story or a fundraising idea, we will love to hear from you.

Our @FundLifeboat Twitter account launched in 2016 and is close to 600 followers, ranging from senior civil servants to lifeboat crew members. This is an active community sharing content, and a community who regularly tag this channel in their own activities. This type of engagement is valued more than followers alone, and it is hoped that the channel will grow throughout the coming year.

Clare is doing excellent work with our online presence and we are grateful for the generosity and support of our sponsors Invotra.

Make sure you add www.thelifeboatfund.org.uk to your favourites list and follow us @FundLifeboat on Twitter. Keep coming back to see how we are changing our on-line presence.

Online Donation Services – A Digital Revolution

The Lifeboat Fund will be relaunching its online donation services to make it even easier for our supporters. Honorary Treasurer Rebekka is leading the digital revolution so standby for announcements.

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Give as you shop online – it costs you nothing!

The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (our ‘long charity title’) has registered with organisations such as givingabit.com , give4sure.com and giveasyoulive.com to provide supporters with a great way to generate donations, at absolutely no cost to them. To raise money for The Lifeboat Fund, supporters only need to download the app from the websites to their personal electronic devices, mobiles, tablets etc, and then shop as normal. By shopping through these websites/apps retailers will donate a percentage of the price of the goods to the Lifeboat Fund. There are no costs to the charity or its supporters. There are over 2,000 retailers participating including Amazon, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, British Gas, Boots, Groupon, and John Lewis. Once the app is downloaded, the names of participating retailers will appear in red text on your search engine so they can quickly be spotted. We hope Lifeboat Fund enthusiasts will choose to earn donations for this great cause by nominating The Fund as beneficiary of their online shopping.

Gift Aid

Gift Aid increases the value of donations and means The Fund can benefit even more, at no extra cost to the donor. The charity is extremely grateful to supporters who add Gift Aid to their donations and to fundraisers who make our forms available at their events. UK taxpayers can add Gift Aid whenever they donate, and the charity can reclaim the basic rate of tax on their gift – that is a massive 25p for every £1 they give. Higher rate taxpayers can claim additional tax benefits for donations they make to charity, which they can keep or pass on to any charitable organisation. They should simply indicate how much they have donated when completing their tax self-assessment form. The charity asks supporters to fill out a Gift Aid form, downloadable from The Fund’s website.

Payroll Giving and Pension Payroll Giving

The Fund encourages supporters to donate through payroll and pension giving. All charities rely on regular giving, and this is such a sustainable way of showing support – helping the RNLI to plan with our assistance. The new website supplies advice on payroll giving and a form for downloading and completion by those who wish to help in this way. Completed forms should be sent to the charity Treasurer. Supporters’ employers or pension organisations will also be able to arrange for this form of giving. “The Lifeboat Fund” should be quoted by anyone who wants to donate through payroll or pension payroll. It would be much appreciated if fundraisers would make our payroll giving forms and advice available at their events, even a small regular donation (gift aided) will help to save lives at sea. You can sign up here.

Legacies

We are most grateful for the legacy support we have received with an extremely generous legacy for £19,335. The Fund reminds supporters how a legacy can help lifeboat crews long into the future. We have had Lifeboat Fund-branded ‘legacy bookmarks’ since 2012 promoting this very special form of support. The bookmark is reproduced on the website as “Legacy Advice”. Our volunteers who run charity bookstalls may wish to download and display the bookmarks to encourage those who borrow and buy their books to remember the charity in their Wills. Further advice on legacies is available from the charity Secretary: secretary@thelifeboatfund.org.uk.

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THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

Our Lifeboats

We are delighted by the achievements of the lifeboats we have purchased for the RNLI. During 2020, The Fund’s lifeboats were launched 282 times, saving 7 lives, assisting 86 people, rescuing 35 and aiding a further 351.

Years Launches Lives Saved People
Assisted
People
Rescued
People
Aided
2020 282 7 86 35 351
2019 215 5 254
2018 221 4 254
2017 191 2 208
2016 194 9 174
2015 224 19 244
2014 255 8 367
2013 264 9 277
2012 252 6 281
2011 215 5 141

Total launches and rescues, for 2020, by The Fund’s lifeboats currently in the RNLI fleet:

Lifeboat Name ID Launches Lives
Saved
People
Assisted
People
Rescued
People
Aided
David
Roulston
(Civil Service 52)
D-738 22 1 8 2 12
Charles
Dibdin
(Civil Service 51)
B-837 78 3 9 12 27
Sgt
Bob
Martin
(Civil Service 50)
B-826 83 3 19 6 102
Stranraer Saviour
(Civil Service 49)
D-697 0 0 0 0 0
Mudeford Servant
(Civil Service 48)
B-806 42 0 6 4 41
Hunstanton
Flyer
(Civil Service 45)
H-003 25 0 32 6 39
Fraser Flyer (Civil
Service 43)
ON1237
(17-17)
32 0 12 5 130
Windsor
Runner
(Civil Service 42)
ON1204
(14-06)
0 0 0 0 0

There currently are eight Lifeboat Fund lifeboats in the RNLI active fleet:

Stranraer Saviour at Stranraer, Scotland;

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Mudeford Servant at Mudeford, Dorset; Hunstanton Flyer at Hunstanton, Norfolk; Sgt Bob Martin at Poole, Dorset; Charles Dibdin at New Brighton, Merseyside; and David Roulston at Portrush, Northern Ireland.

The relief fleet includes our RNLBs: Windsor Runner and Fraser Flyer.

Three other lifeboats provided by The Fund and no longer in active service can be seen in a unique RNLI museum in Kent. These boats are:

Edward Bridges (at Torbay until 1994); St Cybi (at Holyhead until 1980); and North Foreland (at Margate until 1978).

They are on display in the “Lifeboat!” Gallery at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent. This is a wonderful day out should any of our supporters wish to visit.

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THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

Trustees, the Council and Responsibilities

Trustees

The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund – known as The Lifeboat Fund – consists of a Council with a Constitution as its governing document. The Council appoints members of the Executive Committee who serve as The Lifeboat Fund’s Trustees in addition to being members of the Council themselves.

When inducting Trustees, these new members are required to familiarise themselves with “The Essential Trustee: What you need to know”, a Charity Commission publication which aims to provide Trustees with a full awareness of their responsibilities and duties. Members must also read and understand the guidance produced by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, as The Fund is a charity registered in Scotland.

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has now started handling registrations. Given the high number of charitable organisations it will cover, registration is expected to take at least three to four years to complete. The Commission will call The Lifeboat Fund forward for registration when ready to do so. In the meantime, Lifeboat Fund supporters are still able to raise funds in Northern Ireland.

The Trustees who served on the Executive Committee during the year ended 31 December 2020 are:

Name Period in Post if not for Whole Year
Jeremy Fleming (Chair)
Frances Kilner MBE (Deputy Chair)
Angela Wilson (Honorary Treasurer) Resigned in 2020 After Extended Handover
Rebekka Burrows (Honorary Treasurer) Appointment Confirmed 21stMay 2020
Tom Hill (Honorary Secretary)
Angela Saunders
Jon Davies
John Jarvis
Scott McPherson
Mike Robinson
Anthony Harbinson
Stephen McDermott
John-Paul Marks
Ruairi O’Connell
Sally Axworthy

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Members of the Council – Lead Fundraisers

The Council of The Lifeboat Fund can comprise representatives from organisations and departments of the Civil Service along with the Trustees and Officers. They act on a voluntary basis, representing The Fund in their respective organisations. The Council members for the year end 2020, excluding the Officers and Trustees, were:

Name Period in Post if not for Whole Year
Christopher L
Clare P
TerryR Resigned in 2020
Paul H
Rizwan A
Shereen S Resigned in 2020 After Extended Handover
Dan W

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Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees administer and manage The Fund. The Council confirms Trustee and officer appointments at the AGM. Day-to-day business of the charity is conducted by the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer under the direction of the Executive Committee of Trustees. Council members also play a key role fundraising within their respective organisations.

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and trust deed. Trustees should also ensure the financial statements comply with relevant Scottish legislation: the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and associated Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. They are also responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. (Legislation in the United Kingdom which governs the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.)

This report was approved by the Trustees on 28 April 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Jeremy Fleming Chair on behalf of the Trustees

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THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

2020 Financial Summary

The Lifeboat Fund generated voluntary income of £70,874 in 2020 (against £87,108 in 2019). Although above expectations, departmental fundraising generated up to £16,505.

Analysis of Donations and Legacies Received

Note Total Total
Funds at Funds at
2020 2019
£ £
Donations received gross of cost of distributing
payroll and pension-giving costs
39,195
10,315
19,335
60,579

Designated Fund - BT Payroll Giving
9,342
Legacies -
Gift Aid - 45
Legacies received via RNLI - -

Donations received via RNLI
1,029 16,142
Donated services
Cost of services of the Independent Examiner 1,000 1,000
Total donations and legacies
2
70,874 87,108

Use of Funds

As in previous years, a cash balance is held in order to meet planned expenditure and this is kept at a level proportionate to spend. All other income is transferred to the RNLI as it accumulates – £39,335 was transferred during 2020 (£160,000 in 2019). The total cash at bank and in hand was £78,745 as at 31 December 2020, compared to £60,824 as at 31 December 2019.

The RNLI holds our donations in a restricted fund which had a closing balance as at 31 December 2020 of £1,436,901 compared to £1,374,850 in 2019 (this is the correct statement for 2019 as the 2019 report referenced this figure for 2018) and is in line with the plan to utilise reserves over several years.

The Lifeboat Fund is wholly dependent upon the services of unpaid volunteers and donations in kind. We would therefore wish to acknowledge the contribution of the Civil Service in donating the services of its Honorary Treasurer, Rebekka Burrows and for the extended handover from Angela Wilson and Shereen S; Honorary Secretary Tom Hill and of Kreston Reeves LLP in donating their services as the Honorary Independent Examiner. We greatly appreciate their support.

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Risk Management

Risks are assessed as part of the agreed annual financial plan. There are no high risks identified in relation to The Lifeboat Fund’s financial position given that The Fund passes all its receipts on to the RNLI to invest and hold in the restricted fund. Any risks in relation to a reduction in income are mitigated by either a subsequent change to the planned expenditure, or a decision to utilise a greater proportion of reserves in year.

Remuneration To Charity Trustees

No remuneration or other benefits were paid from the charity to a Trustee.

Relationship with Other Charities

Since its foundation in 1866, the Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund has become the longest-serving and one of the biggest single supporters of the RNLI. Supporting the RNLI remains its sole purpose.

The RNLI is a registered charity which exists to save lives at sea by providing, on call, a 24hour search and rescue service to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland, and a seasonal lifeguard service, with more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK. The RNLI also operates a specialist flood rescue team which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI depends entirely on voluntary giving and legacies for its income, and for the most part on volunteers to crew its lifeboats, which are based at 236 lifeboat stations. The support given by The Lifeboat Fund to the RNLI helps to maintain over 340 lifeboats and four hovercraft in its active fleet.

It costs over £160 million every year to run the RNLI. The donations which provide that income are put to very good use – the RNLI’s volunteer crews rescued more than 17,100 people in the last two years alone: an average of 23 people every day.

The RNLI pays for most substantial expenditure by The Lifeboat Fund out of restricted funds, held as explained earlier in the report, subject to the approval of The Fund’s Executive Committee. At the end of each financial year, the RNLI provides The Fund with a Statement of Account, which agrees the amount held by the RNLI in a restricted fund on behalf of The Lifeboat Fund and which is reflected in the additional note set out below the Balance Sheet in our financial statements.

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Independent Examiner’s Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Lifeboat Fund (‘the charity’)

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

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Independent Examiner’s Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed:

Dated: 28 April 2021

G Jones, ACA Bsc (Hons) Kreston Reeves LLP Chartered Accountants Chatham Maritime

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Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st December 2020

Restricted
Funds at
Unrestricted
Funds at
Total
Funds
at
Total
Funds at
2020 2020 2020 2019
Note £ £ £ £
Income
and
endowments from:
19,335

-


51,539

7


70,874

7


Donations
and
legacies
2
87,108
Investments
3
17
Total 19,335
51,546
70,881
87,125




-

19,335

-





763

32,345

557





763

51,680

557

Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
849
Charitable activities
4
186,484
Bad Debt Write Off
4
-
Total 19,335
33,665
53,000
187,333



Net movement in
funds
-





7,290
17,881





53,382
17,881





60,672
(100,208)
Reconciliation
of
funds:
Total funds brought
forward
160,880
Total funds carried
forward
7,290
71,263
78,553
60,672

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THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020

2020 2019
Note £ £
Current Assets
Debtors
5
- 565
Cash at bank and in hand 78,745 60,824
Total current assets 78,745 61,389
Liabilities
Creditors:
Amounts
falling
due
within
one
year
6
(192) (717)

Total net assets /(liabilities) 78,553 60,672
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
10
71,263 53,382
Restrictedfunds
10
7,290 7,290
Total funds 78,553 60,672

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28 April 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Rebekka Burrows Honorary Treasurer

Jeremy Fleming Chair

The notes on page 18 to 26 form part of these financial statements.

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Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The Lifeboat Fund meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

1.2 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are funds that are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees to advance the general objectives of the charity and that have not been designated for other purposes.

1.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Lifeboat Fund has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the Lifeboat Fund is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably, and the Lifeboat Fund has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the Lifeboat Fund, or the Lifeboat Fund is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

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Donated services or facilities are recognised when the Lifeboat Fund has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the Lifeboat Fund of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised, but refer to the Trustees' report for more information about their contribution.

1.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings.

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the Lifeboat Fund and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.5 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity and, as such, is included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.

1.6 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Lifeboat Fund; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

1.7 Going concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Whilst the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been assessed by the Trustees, so far as is reasonably possible, due to its unprecedented impact on the worldwide economy it is difficult to evaluate with any certainty the potential outcomes on the Charity's future activities. However, taking into consideration the Charity's level of reserves, the Trustees believe that the Charity will be able to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

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1.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.9 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

1.10 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.11 General information

The Lifeboat Fund is an unincorporated charity, in England and Wales, and in Scotland, with the charity registration numbers 248421 and SC041904 respectively. The charity’s registered office is 6th Floor Fry, 2 Marsham Street, London. SW1P 4DF. The objectives of the Charity continue to be to support the vital work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), saving lives and rescuing people at sea, on our rivers and from floods.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020

2. Analysis of Donations and Legacies Received

Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Funds at Funds at Funds at Funds
at
2020 2020 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Donations received gross
of
cost
of
distributing
payroll and pension-giving
costs
Designated Fund - BT
Payroll Giving


-

19,335

-

-





-
39,195

10,315

-

-

1,029





1,000
39,195

10,315

19,335

-

1,029





1,000
60,579
9,342
Legacies -
Gift Aid 45
Donations
received
via
RNLI
16,142
Donated services
Cost of services of the
Independent Examiner
1,000
Total
donations
and
legacies
19,335
51,539
70,874
87,108
Total 2019 17,100 70,008 87,108

3. Analysis of Investments

Investments
Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Funds at Funds at Funds
at
Funds at
2020 2020 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Bank interest received -
7 7 17
-
7 7 17

Total 2019 -
17 17

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4. Analysis of Expenditure

Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Funds at Funds at Funds
at
Funds
at
2020 2020 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Raising funds

Miscellaneous
-
764 764 849
-
764 764 849

Total 2019 -
849 849




19,335





-





Charitable activities
Donations passed to the
RNLI
Designated Fund - BT
Payroll Giving
Other amounts received
directly by the RNLI
Independent
Examiners
Fee
20,000 39,335 160,000
10,315 10,315 9,342
1,029 1,029 16,142
1,000 1,000 1,000
19,335
32,345 51,680 186,484
Total 2019 15,000 171,484 186,484

5. Debtors

2020 2019
£ £
Other - 565
- 565

6. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

2020 2019
£ £
Processing fees 192 717
192 717

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7. Summary of Contributions to the Fund

Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Funds at Funds at Funds at Funds
at
2020 2020 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Charities - Pension and
Payroll Giving
Legacies
Department for Work and
Pensions
Scottish Government
Civil
Service
Insurance
Society
Miscellaneous
HM Revenue and Customs
Department
for
Environment
Food
and
Rural Affairs
Gift Aid
Charities Aid Foundation
BEIS
Department
of
Justice
Northern Ireland
Ministry of Defence
Home Office
Online
Civil Service Pensioner's
Alliance


19,335












22,637
407
2,697
-
7,467
-
-
-
-
1,005
685
-
175
4,123
-
22,637
19,335
407
2,697
-
7,467
-
-
-
-
1,005
685
-
175
4,123
-
27,114
-
3,844
11,925
2,100
3,152
1,601
1,119
45
1,081
-
615
71
3,905
3,613
307
GCHQ - - 132
19,335
39,195
58,530
60,624
Total 2019 2,100
58,524
60,624

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8. Balance in RNLI Restricted Funds

2020 2019
£ £
Opening balance in RNLI Restricted funds for the Lifeboat
Fund
1,374,850 1,325,193
Lifeboat funds donations to RNLI 39,335 160,000
Investment Income

Designated Fund - BT Payroll Giving
Other amounts received directly by the RNLI
Less: FAD 5295 Lifeguards
51,372
10,315
1,029
(40,000)
59,173
9,342
16,142
-
Less: Crew training and running costs at Teignmouth - (40,000)

Less: Wells Shoreworks
-
(40,000)
Less: DFID -
(100,000)
Less: Swimsafe and Lifeguard -
(15,000)
Closing balance in RNLI Restricted funds for the
Lifeboat Fund
1,436,901 1,374,850

9. Statement of Funds

Brought Income Expenditure Carried

Forward
Forward
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted fund
General fund 53,582
51,546 (33,665) 71,263
Restricted fund
RNLI fund 7,290
19,335 (19,335) 7,290
60,672
70,881 (53,000) 78,553
Prior Year Brought Income Expenditure Carried

Forward
Forward
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted fund
General fund 155,690
70,025
(172,333)
53,382
Restricted fund
RNLI fund 5,190
17,100
(15,000)
7,290
160,880
87,125
(187,333)
60,672

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10. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Restricte
d
Unrestricte
d
Total
Funds at Funds at Funds at Funds at
2020 2020 2020 2019
£ £ £ £
Current assets 7,290 71,455 78,745 61,389
Current liabilities - (192) (192) (717)
7,290
71,263
78,553
60,672
Prior Year Restricte
d
Unrestricte
d
Total Total
Funds at Funds at Funds at Funds at
2019 2019 2019 2018
£ £ £ £
Current assets 2,100 59,289 61,389 160,880
Current liabilities - (717) (717) -
2,100 58,572 60,672 160,880

11. Related Party Transactions

The Charity has not undertaken any related party transactions during the financial year and at the Balance Sheet date there are no balances outstanding with any related parties of the Charity.

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THE LIFEBOAT FUND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 28 APRIL 2021

FINAL MINUTES

Venue: Teleconference

Venue: Teleconference
ATTENDING APOLOGIES
Jeremy Fleming (Chair) Frances K (Deputy Chair)
Tom H (Honorary Secretary) Rebekka B (Honorary Treasurer)
Angela S (Scottish Government and
Director of Fundraising)
John-Paul M (Department for Work and
Pensions)
Frank E (Civil Service Pensioners
Alliance)
Rizwan A (Department for Work and
Pensions)
Clare P(Communications Director) Paul H(Department for Work and Pensions)
Scott M(Trustee without Portfolio) Ruairi O’C(Home Office)
Harriet S(HM Revenue and Customs) Stephen M(Legal)
Frankie S(HM Revenue and Customs) Mike R(Cabinet Office)
Jon D(Parliament) Helene S(Northern Ireland Civil Service)
Anthony H (Northern Ireland Civil
Service)
Chris L (Department for Work and
Pensions)
Alice D-S (RNLI)
Ross M (RNLI)
Daniel L (Kreston Reeves)
Dan W (National Crime Agency)
**Item ** **Action **
1. Chairs Welcome and Opening Words
-
The Chair thanked all fundraisers and highlighted
the challenges that needed to be addressed. The
Chair flagged the importance of RNLI 2024 and
the need to work towards it.
2. Re-election of Trustees and Officers
-
All Trustees and Officers eligible for Election
passed. They were:
-
Jeremy F as Chair
-
Frances K as Deputy Chair
-
Tom H as Honorary Secretary
-
Rebekka B as Honorary Treasurer
-
Angela S as Director of Fundraising and Trustee
for Scottish Government
-
Frank E for Civil Service Pensioners Alliance
(Subject to Paperwork)
-
Jon D for Parliament
-
John-Paul M for Department for Work and
Pensions

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THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SERVICE LIFEBOAT FUND – THE LIFEBOAT FUND

-
Mike R for Cabinet Office
-
Scott M as Trustee Without Portfolio
-
Ruairi O’C for Home Office
-
Anthony H for Northern Ireland Civil Service
-
Stephen M as Director of Legal
3. Repositioning
-The repositioning work was explained by the
Director of Fundraising as becoming the primary
conduit for fundraising for the RNLI within the Civil
Service and developing the Special Relationship
The Lifeboat Fund has. The Repositioning Group
examined several routes and acknowledged The
Lifeboat Fund’s status may not be understood or
accepted in various realms. The repositioning
group asked for communications in Departments
and the Officers to resolve challenges. Scottish
Government could be used as an example and a
Digital Strategy may help.
-The work was acknowledged as an opportunity to
strengthen links with the RNLI to be the route to
support the RNLI. Alice DS explained the RNLI
Chief Executive was in agreement the route for
Civil Service support should be through The
Lifeboat Fund and messaging would be stronger
if alongside Civil Service 53 and Civil Service 54.
-The Director of Communications explained there
had been hard work over the past 4 months and
while opportunities were available, there was a lot
of work to do.
-Jon D explained it was encouraging to hear the
support from Alice and messages had not always
been as clear from the RNLI. Chris L supported
Jon’s statement and stated support has been split
between the RNLI and The Lifeboat Fund citing
£30,000 raised by HASSRA as an example.
Strong messages and digital strategy were
required. Scott M suggested focussing on the
human stories rather than buying boats with
Anthony H explaining any action was good but
relaunching at Civil Service Live was hard.
-Alice explained the RNLI was preparing for the
busiest support ever and a lot of safety messages
could be published although Angela S confirmed
supporters were not receiving them.
All Members to support
Repositioning work
Chair to obtain support of
senior colleagues

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-The Honorary Secretary confirmed the strategies
would dovetail with communications and time
would not be spent reworking strategies.
-Based on discussions with Angela and Ross,
Harriet S stated there could be a legal and
organisational issue if The Lifeboat Fund used
RNLI campaigns. Alice explained the RNLI could
create bespoke materials.
-The Chair summarised the current themes as
requiring senior support, holding a meeting with
Wednesday Morning Colleagues. Their Chair
confirmed he had a response from British
Telecom who wanted to grow a strategic
partnership with the RNLI.
-The meeting attendees approved the Annual
Report.
4. Fundraising
-Ross explained activity that occurred in 2020 and
Civil Service 53 was due to be delivered to RNLI
Wells-Next-The-Sea in Q4 2022 with Civil Service
54 to be delivered in 2022. Lifeguard effort was
distributed around the UK and Seasafe was
continuing in Bangladesh which the RNLI were
keen for The Lifeboat Fund to continue supporting
and increase funding to. The Chief Executive of
the RNLI gave a thank you to all members of The
Lifeboat Fund for their efforts.
-The Chair asked if The Lifeboat Fund was
prepared for Launch A Memory. Alice confirmed
there was a one week exclusivity period and the
Chair
would
speak
with
Cabinet
Office
communications. Alice confirmed the campaign
could run until December 2021 but there was a
limit of 10,000 names.
-Dan W suggested funding other craft through The
Lifeboat Fund although Alice cautioned against
making
campaigns
too
narrow.
However,
maintenance costs could be considered. The
Chair stated there was a broader message on The
Lifeboat Fund supporting the RNLI and Alice
recommended
splitting
fundraising
between
Lifeguards and Seasafe.
All members to support
Launch a Memory
Chair to speak with
Cabinet Office
communications.
5. Naming of Civil Service 53

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-The Chair provided an update on the naming of
Civil Service 53 and work was in progress.
6. Digital Fundraising
-
The website had a donate button and all
messages would have a donation ask.
Alternative platforms such as PayPal were being
considered by the financial team.
-
Ruairi O’C confirmed the Home Office could
support the domain name and reinvigorate the
fundraising group with the Chair confirming
Matthew Rycroft was interested in supporting
The Lifeboat Fund.
-
Jon D thanked the Chair for confirming The
Lifeboat Fund did not cause issues with
Lobbying.
7. Close
-
The chair thanked all members and closed the
meeting.

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How to Contact Us

Online

Website: www.thelifeboatfund.org.uk Twitter: @FundLifeboat

Registered Address

6[th] Floor Fry, 2 Marsham Street, London. SW1P 4DF

Independent Examiner

Gordon Jones Kreston Reeves LLP; Montague Place; Quayside; Chatham Maritime; Chatham ME4 4QU

Our thanks go to the those who kindly provided the photos and articles in this publication

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