The RNLI has seen a spike in donations after being accused of being a ‘taxi service for migrants’. The RNLI operates lifeboat services along the UK coastline, founded in 1824 and saving 150,000 lives since then.

It is principally funded by legacies (65%) and donations (30%). Most of its lifeboat crews are unpaid volunteers operating more than 400 lifeboats from 238 stations. Paid lifeguards provide services at nearly 250 beaches.

But not all are grateful for its services. Last year, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the RNLI a “taxi service for illegal immigration”. And on Sunday night in Portsmouth, a far-right group wearing balaclavas shouted abuse at volunteers.

They called them “traitors to this country”, “scum”, and “yellowbellies” for aiding migrants crossing the Channel. The RNLI has declared its obligation to help anyone in distress on coastal waters, under international maritime law.

The RNLI has said it has also seen a spike in donations following the attack on its volunteers in Portsmouth, for which it is “so grateful”. It also said volunteers will rescue people ‘without judgement or preference’ as the service has done for more than 200 years

A spokesperson said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of donations we have received this week, and we’ve welcomed a number of new supporters to our charity.

“As always, we’re so grateful for the support we receive from our amazing supporters, without them we would not be able to deliver our vital lifesaving service.

“Sadly, we have also been contacted by a number of supporters and members of the public who have informed us that they wish to withdraw their support in recent days. Everyone at the RNLI remains focused on our core purpose of saving lives at sea.”

There has also been a spike in donations to a GoFundMe launched by Simon Harris. The man started the fundraiser in 2021 following Farage’s comments about the RNLI. In five years, it has raised £336,000 for the organisation.

Harris said his opinion of the Reform leader was low, and it gets lower every time he attacks the RNLI. He said: “It’s like the NHS. RNLI volunteers are risking their lives – they’re not being paid for it. It should be almost like a sacred cow.”