Well put Dave, clear, concise and spot on.
About 60 years ago whilst growing up in Essex we (Mum, Dad and 3 Kids) would go down to Walton on the Naze to the seaside a couple of times a summer and the day always ended with a walk up the pier and a look around the Lifeboat Shed. I've been fascinated with them ever since. A few years later I was at Scout Camp at Aldeburgh and had a ride on a Breeches Buoy from the Promenade down to the beach. 50 years ago next week I left School, and spent 20 years as a Royal Navy Officer. This gave me a more realistic appreciation of the Sea and what the RNLI Crews face. These days support is limited to a monthly donation, and the occasional top up, but as long as the pension keeps coming in those lads and lasses will have my support.
John