RNLI Brighton Lifeboat Station volunteer lifeboat crew members were shocked to discover their charitable collection box had been broken into and emptied twice.

This month, the external collection box outside the RNLI Brighton shop in Brighton Marina was broken into twice.

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. It has lifeboats stationed at 238 stations throughout the UK and Ireland, all of which are crewed by highly trained volunteers.

Donations from the general public are critical to the RNLI’s ability to continue its lifesaving work as a charity.

Last year, the Brighton lifeboat crew launched 35 times and assisted 16 people.

The crew, who volunteer their time to help save others, is deeply disappointed by the theft of donated funds, which could have been used to fund critical training or equipment.

‘The money in that collection box was generously donated by members of the public who chose to support the work we do,’ they said.

‘Our volunteers work extremely hard to keep us launching to rescue those in need.’ This only adds to the difficulty.’

Because the money is given voluntarily, it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of how much has been stolen.

The box will be removed and replaced by a contactless donation machine in the shop window.