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The RNLI has made a strong defence of its work after people stopped donating to the charity because it used funding to save lives abroad and provide burkinis in Africa.

Earlier this week it was reported that the life saving organisation spends £3.3m of donations a year in other countries.

The information inspired people to take to Twitter to declare their time supporting the charity was over.

Furious funders of the organisation flooded the RNLI's Twitter feed expressing disgust that some of their money had been spent saving non-British lives.

The offending work included projects in Zanzibar helping Muslim women to swim in modesty protecting burkinis, and in Bangladesh where life guards were funded to try to save some of the 40 children who drown a day in the country.

(Image: PA)

In a robust response to the criticism the charity said it spent just 2% of its annual expenditure abroad, all of which was detailed in its annual reports.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said in a lengthy statement : "We don’t operate RNLI lifeboat or lifeguard services overseas – instead, we support the work of partners to build local capability.

(Image: PA)

"Our international drowning prevention work currently includes educating children in water safety and survival swimming; training personnel in lifeguarding, search and rescue and lifesaving leadership skills, and international advocacy to champion the drowning prevention cause at a global level.

"Our aim is to increase the number of people who can make a difference to the safety of others in their communities, and share their skills so the lifesaving legacy continues, as well as to call for greater awareness, resources and action at a global level."

(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty)

The explanation was not enough to sooth former patrons enraged they had been duped into saving foreign lives however.

There were plenty of others who were more understanding of the charity's actions however.

The RNLI operates more than 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since it was founded back in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 142,700 lives.