Teddington Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) Lifeboat Station is hosting an an Open Day from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Sunday, 8 June.

On the day, visitors will be able to take a close look at Teddington RNLI's inshore lifeboats and tractor, meet volunteer crew members, visit the boat hall, and hear about what happens on a 'shout', (there were 106 in 2024).

There will be demonstrations in the water from 1.30pm showing how the crew help those in trouble on the river.

Teddington RNLI's open day will take place on Sunday, 8 June (Image supplied)

Teddington RNLI's water safety team will be running games and fun activities, and the Rotary Club will host its 'Human Fruit Machine'. Other local clubs and societies will also be there.

Additionally, other emergency services such as the London Fire Brigade will be attending with its various vehicles, including a fire engine.

Local traders will also be present with food and drink stalls, including The Wharf, Shambles, Ruba, and The Anglers. There will also be a selection of homemade cakes with tea and coffee in the boat hall.

As part of the event, the inaugural Teddington Duck Race, sponsored by Teddington Together, will take place at 2.30pm.

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Each of the up to 1,000 (or more) ducks will sit in its own miniature lifeboat and prizes have been donated by local businesses.

It costs £3.50 to sponsor a duck, £10 for three, or £15 for five. Look out for the posters in shop windows in Teddington where a QR code leads to the sponsorship page.

Matt Allchurch, Lifeboat Operations Manager at the lifeboat station said: "Our Open Day is a great way to welcome our neighbours and friends to meet Teddington RNLI volunteer crew members.

"This year, it is also exciting to host the Teddington Duck Race with Teddington Together."

Mel Franke, director of Teddington Together said: "This is a great way to reach out to our community across Teddington and bring everyone together.

"Sponsoring a duck will help towards a fun-filled Christmas Lights Up event in November, (which cost Teddington Traders £34,000 last year, with a contribution from the Borough of Richmond upon Thames) and support our local RNLI lifeboat station.

"We hope this is just the first of many duck races to come. We must be quackers!"

Teddington Together organised last year's Christmas Lights Up event, which Teddington RNLI attened (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

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 Teddington RNLI lifeboat station is one of five on the River Thames and is crewed and run entirely by volunteers

The RNLI is a national charity solely funded by donations and legacies and is dedicated to saving lives at sea and on our rivers.

Teddington Together, comprised of many Teddington traders, is responsible for creating Teddington Lights Up at Christmas every year.