The RNLI has recorded a 2,000 per cent increase in donations in a single day amid a surge in support over rescues of migrant boats.

       The charity was forced to defend itself after being labelled by Nigel Farage and others as a “taxi service for illegal trafficking gangs”.

       It saw an outpouring of public support after revealing how its volunteers were receiving abuse and publishing harrowing footage of rescues.

       The RNLI said it received ￡200,000 in donations on Wednesday alone, a 2,000 per cent increase on the previous day and far above the daily average of ￡6,000 to ￡7,000.

       It has also recorded a surge in the number of people viewing information on how to volunteer with the lifeboat charity.

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       Jayne George, the RNLI’s fundraising director, said: “We are overwhelmed with the huge level of support we have received from our amazing supporters in the last couple of days.

       “We have seen an uplift in donations, with over ￡200K being donated yesterday alone through a combination of one off donations, new regular support and supporters increasing their regular donation amount. This is simply incredible.”

       She said the charity had also seen a “small number” of previous supporters withdrawing their support over operations involving asylum seekers in the English Channel.

       Ms George said the RNLI’s statements were not meant to be a fundraising campaign, adding: “We simply wanted to tell the story of our crews and make it clear that our charity exists to save lives at sea. Our mission is to save every one. Our supporters’ kindness means so much to us, without them we could not save lives at sea, every one is a lifesaver.”