RNLI turns down contribution from Irish fox hunting club

Lifeboat charity says it only accepts financial gifts from organisations ‘in keeping with values of institution’

THE RNLI has refused to accept a donation from a fox hunt in Ireland that had planned a New Year’s Eve fundraiser for the charity.

The Dungarvan Foxhounds Supporters Club was hoping to raise money for the lifeboat organisation on Sunday.

It wrote on its Facebook page that “members of the RNLI will hold a bucket collection boosted by a cap donation from the club” at its annual Christmas charity event and meet on New Year’s Eve.

Supporters were urged to “come early or bring a friend on foot or mounted” to raise funds for lifeboat volunteers who patrol the coastline off Waterford in Ireland. But bosses at the RNLI’s head office in Poole, Dorset, wrote to the hunt to explain that the charity would only accept donations from organisations “in keeping with the values of the institution”.

In a statement, the hunt said: “Regrettably the RNLI HQ have declined our fundraising efforts on New Year’s Eve. So, new plan to be decided in the coming days.”

The move triggered a clash between the pro and anti-hunting lobby on social media about whether a life-saving charity should accept donations from fox hunters. Chris Packham, the naturalist and BBC Springwatch and Earth presenter, backed the RNLI decision, prompting scores of animal rights activists to follow suit. “Wake up!,” he wrote on social media. “The whole wide world is sick of the barbaric, anachronistic, entitled and abject cruelty to wildlife still currently perpetuated by hunting.

“Top work by the RNLI, a charity dedicated to saving lives – not wasting them. Maybe offer your blood money to the weapons industry?”

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “The RNLI was approached by a local hunt club in Ireland who wished to hold a bucket collection with fundraising branch volunteers at an upcoming live fox hunt. This request was considered by the RNLI and declined.

“As a charity that saves lives at sea and on inland waters and which operates across both the UK and Ireland, the RNLI reserves the right to decline donations.

“The practice of fox hunting is one that evokes strong feelings in many, including our volunteers and supporters, from all sides of the debate.

“We are grateful for the support that our communities give to our lifesavers and the decisions taken on donations are done in consideration of supporting them and ensuring that our core focus remains on the mission of the charity.”

‘The whole wide world is sick of the barbaric, entitled and abject cruelty perpetuated by hunting’

Gary McCartney, the director of the Countryside Alliance Ireland, said: “It is disappointing that a charity which provides such an important service would turn down donations raised by the rural community taking part in an entirely lawful activity. We sincerely hope the RNLI reconsiders their position, and work with rural people going forward, rather than alienating them”.

The hunt supporters club did not respond to a request for a comment.