on Friday 1 July,  we were immensely proud to see Old Oratorian Massimo Malavasi ( OS 1973-18), co-CEO of  Aquapac Group set off on an 18 mile Thames walk from Waterloo to Chiswick to raise awareness on water safety and the continued efforts of the RNLI and its volunteers. He was joined by rugby world cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.

The RNLI stations in central London were set up in 2002 as a result of the enquiry on the Marchioness disaster in 1989, which claimed 51 lives including Lawrence's sister, Francesca, as well as two Old Oratorians, brothers Domingos and Antonio Vasconcellos.

the River Thames is familiar territory for the RNLI, as they currently operate four lifeboat stations along the Thames at Chiswick, Gravesend, Teddington and Tower. In 2021, the RNLI launched a total of 947 times, aiding over 250 people and saving over 20 lives across these four stations.

The 18 mile fundraising walk began at Waterloo lifeboat station this morning and will finish at 4 pm at Teddington lifeboat station.