Ducks Away for Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Week and Open Day

Look out for local promotions like a Lifeboat Treasure Hunt in Teddington independent shops and special activities in restaurants and pubs.

On the Open Day everyone is invited to visit the lifeboat station to celebrate the week of events and enjoy a day of river-themed fun and activities, including the now-famous, duck race.

1600 ducks raced along the Thames at Teddington in 2025 and over £5,000 was raised for the RNLI. Activities are still being planned, but visitors will be able to:

· Climb aboard a lifeboat and its tractor

· See lifesaving demonstrations by volunteer crew

· Enjoy food and drink from local outlets such as Shambles, The Anglers and The Wharf, as well as RNLI volunteer-made cakes, tea, coffee and cold drinks

· Cheer along the Teddington Duck Race supported by Teddington Together, representatives of Teddington independent businesses who put on Teddington Lights Up each year.

· Meet firefighters and see a fire engine

· Play water safety themed games

· Get gory with a make up artist

· Hear ukulele and wind bands play favourite tunes

Put the date in your diary now for a week of RNLI lifeboat activities and then come and meet the volunteer crew, local traders and our neighbours.

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Did you know:

· All of the crew at Teddington RNLI are volunteers

· About thirty men and women are active crew members

· About sixty people volunteer at the station

· The RNLI is a charity and receives no government funding

· The four RNLI lifeboat stations on the Thames will celebrate 25 years next year

· Supporting your local RNLI station is as easy as visiting on the Open Day.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Gianna Saccomani, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07798905515 or [email protected] or Grace Palmieri, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07855487508 or [email protected].

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.