Strand Infants Visit Chiswick Lifeboat Crew Again

Marking a two decade association between the RNLI and the school

The children hear about the RNLI's activities on the river. Picture: Strand on the Green Infants School

March 8, 2026

Chiswick RNLI has marked two decades of teaching young children about safety on the tidal Thames, returning once again to Strand on the Green Infants School for its much-loved annual visit.

On 26 January, Press Officer David Clarke and volunteer crew member Elinor Rimmer led an assembly for 270 pupils, continuing a tradition that began 20 years ago. Rimmer arrived in full RNLI kit, giving children a close-up look at the specialist equipment crews rely on when responding to emergencies on the river.

The session focused on helping children understand the dangers of the Thames and what to do if they see someone in difficulty. Pupils were taught the importance of asking an adult to call 999 and request the Coastguard, and many of the older children — veterans of previous RNLI visits — impressed the crew with their knowledge and questions.

The school embraced the theme wholeheartedly, inviting pupils to wear something waterproof the following day and bring in a small donation for the RNLI.

After half term, the duty crew brought one of Chiswick’s lifeboats to the school, giving a small group of pupils the chance to meet the team again and hand over the £225 raised. The children cheered as the lifeboat departed, sirens sounding in appreciation.

Deputy Headteacher Nav Bhatti said the annual visit is a highlight for the school community.

“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 is the second busiest lifeboat station in the UK and Ireland. Since the RNLI’s dedicated search and rescue service on the Thames began in 2002, the station has attended over 4,900 incidents and rescued more than 2,500 people. The charity receives no government funding for its lifesaving work and relies entirely on public donations.

The long-running partnership between the lifeboat station and Strand on the Green Infants continues to play a small but meaningful part in that effort — and in teaching the next generation how to stay safe beside London’s most unpredictable stretch of water.