Surf Life Saving Great Britain
Analysis
Surf Life Saving Great Britain is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Exeter. It was registered in December 1992, 34 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and amateur sport, which this site groups under amateur sport and recreation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02678080). It says it provides human resources, provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Surf Life Saving Great Britain reported income of £761k and spending of £739k, spending 97% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £470k to £761k (+62%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 31%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 12,174 England and Wales charities whose main cause is amateur sport and recreation and that reported income, Surf Life Saving Great Britain sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 92nd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Dorking Rugby Football Club Limited (£760k), Saint John Southworth Foundation (£762k) and The Worcester Citizens Swimming Bath Association (£760k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 51% and charitable activities 48%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £218k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 8 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 51%
- Charitable activities 48%
- Trading 0.8%
- Investments 0.3%
In the charity's own words
To undertake search and rescue activity, provide life saving and search and rescue training, promote lifeguard voluntary patrols, education and developing search and rescue skills through lifesaving sport. Raising public awareness to reduce drowning & preventable injuries, represent GB life saving as National Governing Body.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Dorking Rugby Football Club Limited | Tadworth | £760k |
| Saint John Southworth Foundation | London | £762k |
| The Worcester Citizens Swimming Bath Association | Worcester | £760k |
| Nursery@aspire | London | £763k |