RNLI rejects fox hunt fundraiser

Petition updateBan Blood Sports in IrelandRNLI rejects fox hunt fundraiser

Irish Council Against Blood SportsMullingar, Ireland

Jan 4, 2024

A big THANK YOU to the RNLI for rejecting a fox hunt fundraiser.

The life-saving lifeguard and lifeboat charity made the positive move after being alerted to a fundraising event publicised by a fox hunt in County Waterford.

A notice on the Facebook page of the Dungarvan Foxhounds Supporters Club, outlined that the “Dungarvan Foxhounds Annual Christmas Charity Event” for Helvic and Dungarvan RNLI was to coincide with a hunt meeting at An Rinn. According to the notice, "members of the RNLI will hold a bucket collection boosted by a cap donation from the [hunt] club on the day".

In an appeal to the RNLI, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports stated: “While we acknowledge the vital role fundraisers play in sustaining your important, life-saving work, we hope you will consider disassociating from a group which causes suffering and death in the countryside. The Dungarvan Foxhounds is a foxhunt affiliated to the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association and the hunt goes out terrorising foxes every Sunday during the hunting season.”

The RNLI has confirmed that the fox hunt fundraiser is being rejected.

“No donation for this event has been received by the charity and members of the fundraising branch will not be holding a bucket collection at the event,” the representative stated. “The RNLI reserves the right to decline donations that are not in keeping with the purpose and the values of the institution. We will not be accepting any donations from this activity or related activities, now or in the future.”

“We are grateful for the continued support we receive from the communities that surround and depend on our lifeboat service,” she added.

Thank you to the RNLI for this positive and compassionate response. Please consider making a donation to support the charity's life-saving work

https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money

The RNLI is the latest charity to say NO to foxhunt fundraisers. Previously, Pieta House was thanked for rejecting a 2016 "Hunt for Light" hunt fundraiser in Tipperary. A spokesperson commented at the time: “We cannot be seen to have an association with or endorsement of bloodsports, and so we feel it would be inappropriate for us to benefit from or to be associated with a hunt. People across Ireland are so incredibly supportive of Pieta House, but in some cases - such as this one - the manner of the fundraiser is incompatible." https://www.pieta.ie/support-our-work/donate/

The Hope Foundation also responded positively to an ICABS appeal and said no to a fundraiser organised by a hunt in Cork. The charity which works to help street and slum children in India told ICABS that it had contacted the organisers of the fundraiser to say "we do not wish to have this fundraiser carried out in the name of HOPE." https://www.hopefoundation.ie/donate/

Fox hunting is one of Ireland's worst forms of cruelty to animals. It involves releasing a pack of hounds to chase after foxes. When caught, the foxes are knocked off their feet, mauled, bitten, eviscerated and pulled apart. When a fox attempts to find refuge underground, hunt terriermen are typically called in. They send terriers down after the fox. The fox is attacked and cornered while the hunters dig the clay away from above. The injured and squealing fox is then pulled out and brutally killed.

A RED C opinion poll carried out in 2019 confirmed that a 77 per cent majority of Irish citizens want fox hunting banned, with just 12 per cent disagreeing with a ban.

ACTION ALERT

Tell Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin to respect the wishes of the majority and ban fox hunting in Ireland.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD

Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133

Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie

X: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar

Tanaiste Micheál Martin TD

Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie

Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/

X: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD