Royal pal Harry Legge-Bourke has been left bewildered after discovering that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rejected a donation because it was due to come from hunt supporters.
Harry, whose sister Tiggy was Princes William and Harry’s beloved nanny, reveals: ‘Just seen a letter from RNLI refusing to take donations from a rural hunt close to the sea who raised funds for RNLI because it wouldn’t take donations from an organisation that is not ‘consistent’ with RNLI values. I am bewildered. Welcome to 2024!’
The former Welsh Guards Captain is referring to a fundraising event due to be held tomorrow by Dungarvan Foxhounds Supporters’ Club in Ireland, where fox hunting remains legal.
An RNLI spokesman suggests it would also reject donations from hunt supporters in Great Britain, where fox hunting was banned in 2004.
Instead, hounds now follow an artificial scent.
‘While fox hunting continues in some areas where the RNLI operates, the charity has made the decision to decline donations associated with the activity and therefore remove the ask on volunteers who may not wish to support a fundraising request of this nature,’ the spokesman tells me.
Royal pal Harry Legge-Bourke has been left bewildered after discovering that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rejected a donation because it was due to come from hunt supporters
An RNLI spokesman suggests it would also reject donations from hunt supporters in Great Britain, where fox hunting was banned in 2004 (File Image)
Gary McCartney, director of Countryside Alliance Ireland, says: ‘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.’