Chiswick RNLI receive an unusual donation
In December 2025 a message arrived out of the blue asking if Chiswick RNLI would be a nominated charity to receive a donation from Mortlake Crematorium.
Manager Natasha Bradshaw explained that the proceeds generated from the recycling of metals from cremations were used to donate to local charities. She suggested that Chiswick RNLI would be a suitable charity as its lifeboat patrols along the Thames next to Mortlake cemetery and crematorium.
On Monday 27 April the lifeboat crew came alongside to receive the donation of £8,500. Chiswick Station Manager, Andy Mayo, and crew Tor Gullan, together with chair of Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, John Soones, thanked Ms Bradshaw for the generous donation which would help fund the RNLI search and rescue service on the Thames.
For many years metals remaining following cremation have been collected and buried, placing metals into the ground that remain forever. These high grade metals can be smelted down and re-used, as is common practice on the Continent. The re-use of these metals means that we need to use less non-renewable metal ores. Metals are only recycled with the express consent of the bereaved families.
Under the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s metal recycling scheme the proceeds are donated to nominated charities. This year £21 million has been distributed by the Institute’s members. The scheme is based on the European scheme initiated by the Royal Dutch Cremation Federation.
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 5,000 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.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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