A community swimming club which taught thousands of children to swim will continue to help save lives in the water despite its disbandment.

Brentford and Chiswick Swimming Club closed its doors at the end of last year after struggling to stay afloat due to a shortage of volunteers.

Having helped to teach little ones to swim over nearly four decades, the club is hoping to ensure it continues to keep people safe in the water by donating the £24,480 remainder of its funds to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).

Mike Cheetham, secretary and treasurer of the former club, said: “We agreed the funds remaining would go to the RNLI, as we wanted it to go to a charity with similar aims to us.

“There is an awful lot of water around these parts, not least with the Thames. Given that we were all about teaching people how to be safe in water, how to swim, save lives, etc, we thought that the RNLI was the perfect charity to support. That way, our spirit lives on.”

The club has asked for half the donation to be used to support lifeboats on the Thames in London, while the other half is to be used to support coastal RNLI operations.

President of the club Norma Cheetham said: “As far as the club is concerned, while our demise is regrettable, we are all really pleased that the money will be used to help save lives.”

The club was formed in 1970, when Brentford Swimming Club and Clifden Swimming Club amalgamated. It ran lessons at the old Brentford Baths until its closure in 1990 when it took up residency at the Fountain Leisure Centre.

Its closure in December held extra sadness for Mr and Mrs Cheetham as the couple met through the club in 1983 when Norma taught Mike to swim.

Stuart Willson, RNLI Fundraising Manager for London, said: “Mike and Norma walked into Chiswick Lifeboat Station and announced they wanted to make a donation. When the traditional coin bucket was proffered, Norma gave a wry smile and said ‘I think we’re going to need something bigger than that’.

”Our sincere thanks go to the club for their generosity.”