The RNLI as a primarily volunteer search and rescue service relies on donations from the public to do what we do.

So, it is great to announce a generous donation to Teddington RNLI from the Shanly Foundation.

Teddington RNLI were notified recently by the RNLI Trusts and Grants Manager, Laura Harwood, that Teddington RNLI has received a grant from the Shanly Foundation for kit and

training costs.

Laura said: "We'd like to thank the Shanly Foundation and celebrate their support of the RNLI and specifically Teddington RNLI through a generous donation to their crew kit and training costs for the year ahead.

"The RNLI nationally are appreciative of kind donations

from the public. We have 238 RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK & Ireland and they all need kit and training to keep the crews and shore/operations crews safe and able to do their

roles.

"The RNLI are incredibly grateful to the Shanly Foundation for their kind support.

"Teddington RNLI is a vital part of the RNLI. A lot of people are surprised to know that there is a Lifeboat Station at Teddington so the money highlights that the RNLI have an important presence on the River Thames.

"Teddington RNLI is an unusual station as it's one of the first to cover the river as opposed to coastal waters.

"The RNLI's ability to fundraise throughout

the pandemic has been hampered and we are doing all we can to raise funds to keep our world-class service optimum. Donations, such as that given by the Shanly Foundation, are vital to the RNLI."

Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Teddington RNLI reiterated the

thanks of the RNLI.

He said: "This is great news! The donation will be directed towards kit and training at Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station.

"At Teddington RNLI Lifeboat station, due to where we are on the River Thames, we get a real mixture of 'shouts' so it's important to keep doing regular training with our volunteer crew and shore crew.

"The training helps us prevent skill fade. We have also pioneered initiatives such as 'throw bag' training, which we

do in conjunction with local pub and restaurant management teams along the River Thames.

"The money we have received from the Shanly Foundation can help towards our training and future water safety and prevention initiatives we undertake in our community."

The Shanly Foundation aims to support causes that help individuals and benefit communities within their beneficiary patch, including support for young people from disadvantaged

backgrounds, the homeless, those with mental health issues and people with physical disabilities, injury or life limiting illness.

Financed entirely by the profits generated by the Shanly Group of companies, to date Shanly Group and Shanly Foundation have contributed in excess of £23m to support

hundreds of local community groups and charitable organisations each year to provide financial assistance and improve the quality of life for those most in need across their beneficiary area communities.

Its donations support a range of causes including those with physical disabilities, mental health issues, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the homeless.

Part of the Shanly Group of companies, Shanly Foundation is the Group's charitable arm.

You can follow the Shanly Foundation on Twitter @ShanlyFnd, Facebook @ShanlyFoundation and Instagram @shanly.foundation.

And finally, if you see anyone in difficulty on the River Thames dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.