Infants School continues 20 years of supporting the RNLI on the Thames
Chiswick RNLI have been visiting Strand on the Green Infants school for the last 20 years to talk about the life saving work of the RNLI on the tidal Thames
On 26 January 2026 Chiswick Lifeboat Press Officer, David Clarke and volunteer crew Elinor Rimmer, who wore the full kit, were the focal point of an assembly of 270 children. Elinor demonstrated the kit the crew need to wear and talked about the dangers of the river. The children learnt about the need to ask an adult to phone 999 and speak to the coastguard if they see someone in trouble in the water. Many of the older children remembered the previous visits and already knew about lifeboats on the Thames and asked pertinent questions. The school asked pupils to wear something waterproof to school the next day and were encouraged to bring a small donation for the RNLI.
After half term the duty crew brought the lifeboat to Strand on the Green to meet a small group of pupils and receive the £225 pounds they had collected. After chatting to the crew the children cheered the lifeboat as it left.
Deputy Headteacher Nav Bhatti said: ‘Our young children absolutely love the RNLI visits every year. Seeing the actual lifeboat and hearing directly from the crew really brings our fundraising to life for them. There is always a buzz of excitement. We really value the work the RNLI crews do, and it’s lovely for the children to hear first-hand about their important work and the boat.’
Chiswick RNLI lifeboat station is the second busiest in the UK and Ireland. Since The RNLI search and rescue service on the Thames started in 2002, Chiswick Lifeboat has attended over 4,900 incidents and rescued over 2,500 people. The RNLI is entirely funded by public donations.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.