Then as now the lifeboats were supported by public donations. We see that in Brook there was a tradition of raising money for the lifeboat in both entertaining and instructive ways:

An entertainment was given in the Hulverstone School Room yesterday, the profits of which were donated to the Lifeboat Disaster Fund. During the evening a Second Service Clasp was presented to Mr John Hayter, the brave Coxswain of the Brooke Lifeboat. The Misses Gaze, Mrs Dean, Miss Selby, Miss Haygate, Mr Corte and Mr Connell took part in the programme, which was excellently performed throughout.
Isle of Wight County Press April 21st 1888

Royal National Lifeboat Institution – Brook

On Tuesday evening a lantern lecture was given in the Parish Room by the Rev. R.L. Morris (Rector), entitled ‘The men who face death, or our storm warriors’. Views of lifeboat services and wrecks around Britain were followed by illustrations of the rocket apparatus and other life-saving appliances, and caused much interest. There was a very good attendance, and the net proceeds amounted to 15s. 9d. We may add that a notable ‘storm warrior,’ Mr John Hayter, ex-coxswain of the Brook boat, still resides there and will complete his 68th year next month. He served for 33 years, and, received his pension in 1892; he holds the Institution’s silver medal and clasp and four honorary distinctions, as well as being the proud possessor of the gold watch presented to him by the German Emperor after services rendered at the wreck of the Eider.

Isle of Wight County Press March 19th 1904