Teddington RNLI participates in River Thames Blessing
On Sunday 8 July 2018 Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station participated in the annual River Thames Blessing service of St Mary With St Alban in Teddington.
The River Blessing Service was led by Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station Chaplain, The Reverend Joe Moffatt. Joe is also the Vicar of St Mary With St Alban Church.
Joe was very appreciative of Teddington RNLI and other boat users on the River Thames: ‘This was the second year running that we have done a River Blessing Service, and it has proven to be a wonderful event that brings together the church, the local community, the RNLI, the Sea Cadets and the various boat clubs in Teddington. Casting a flower cross onto the waters amid a flotilla of various boats, we have given thanks for the many ways in which the Thames enriches our lives and our landscape. It seems to have captured the imagination, so is now being planned as an annual event.’
After the service, Teddington RNLI then welcomed visitors to the Lifeboat Station where coffee, tea and cakes were served, and RNLI souvenirs were sold to raise funds for the RNLI.
Gianna Saccomani, crew at Teddington RNLI, who helped to organise the Open Day at Teddington RNLI said: ‘It always amazes me how much of their time people are willing to give up to help others. Yesterday was a prime example. Our local RNLI fundraisers Jill Goddard and John Goddard were joined by Peter Watson, Hillary Poskett, Jenni Steer and David Steer who gave up their Sunday morning to sell souvenirs, books and plants to the congregation and members of the public, raising £219.19 in the process.
I also had to call on my fellow Teddington RNLI volunteers to give up their Sunday morning to help me set up and serve teas, coffees and cakes (baked by Paul Roach, Tim Ody and Howard Evans) to offer to the visitors at our open day. it was a very successful morning and good fun was had by all!’
Sam Armatage also Teddington RNLI crew, who helped Gianna with the organisation of the event, added: ‘It was a great turn out despite the very hot temperatures. The river service was moving and lovely to be a part of. A big thank you to all the crew and fund raisers who came and help make the day a great success. May I also add our thanks to Reverend Joe and all at the Church of St Mary With St Alban in Teddington.’
Tim Ody, Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Teddington RNLI summed up the day with some kind words: ‘It was a privilege to host tea and cake at our lifeboat station, after such a beautiful ritual of river blessing.’
RNLI media contacts
• Paul Stallard, Teddington RNLI Press Officer, 07879 810 817 / [email protected]
• Paul Dunt, RNLI Media Officer London/South East Tel: (0207) 6207426 Mob: 07785 296252/ [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
For the latest RNLI news, photos and videos, visit the RNLI News Centre
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.