Greenwich Yacht Club has made a payment of £1,800 to Tower Lifeboat Station, the proceeds of a fundraising yacht race held on the River Thames in May in aid of the RNLI.
Two representatives of the club, race organisers Clive Reffell and Jim Four, visited Tower Lifeboat Station’s mooring at Waterloo Bridge for a symbolic handover to the station’s Boat House Manager, Stephen Wheatley. He was accompanied by volunteer crew members Emma Keen and Jack Lennerd.
Tower Lifeboat Station covers the River Thames from Battersea to Woolwich and, like all RNLI lifeboat stations, relies on public donations to fund its operations. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has the longest Thames shoreline of any London borough, giving the club a natural stake in supporting the station’s work.
“Fundraising for Tower Lifeboat Station seems an obvious thing to do,” said Clive Reffell. “Sixteen boats took part this year, including guest competitors from other clubs. Many Greenwich Yacht Club members were involved, either on or off the water, in making the event a success. We thank them all.”
Stephen Wheatley added: “This is the third year that Greenwich Yacht Club has held a race to raise money specifically for Tower Lifeboat Station. We deeply appreciate what has become a strong and supportive relationship with the club.”
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Tower Lifeboat Station’s opening, and Greenwich Yacht Club has already pencilled in its next fundraising race for Sunday 27 June 2027.
“We hope it will be the biggest one yet,” said Jim Four.
Commercial opportunities are available for businesses or individuals wishing to become headline race sponsor, or to match-fund the final amount raised. To express interest and explore this further, email RNLI-2026@greenwichyachtclub.co.uk, marked “2027 TLS Race.”
