RNLI supporters will don yellow lifeboat waterproofs as part of a special collection day next week.

The lifeboat charity wants more volunteers to join the fundraising day and hold collection buckets at stations across south-west London and north Surrey on Tuesday, April 28.

The collections will take place between 7am and 7pm and help is particularly needed during the morning and evening rush hours.

Alex Drury, RNLI community support co-ordinator, said: "Many people won’t know that London boasts the two busiest lifeboat stations in the whole of the RNLI at Tower, next to Waterloo Bridge and at Chiswick.

"Combined with the volunteer lifeboat station at Teddington, London’s RNLI crews rescued 231 people and saved 27 lives last year alone.

"We’re more accustomed to responding to calls for help rather than issuing them, but right now we really need the support of Londoners to make Mayday a success."

To become a collector, visit rnli.org/mayday, email communitysupportteam@rnli.org.uk or call 0300 3009903.

Collectors are needed for the following stations:

Richmond borough:

Barnes, Hampton, Hampton Wick, Richmond, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Twickenham

Kingston borough: Kingston, Norbiton, Surbiton, Worcester Park Elmbridge borough: Claygate, Esher, Hersham, Thames Ditton, Walton

Wandsworth borough:

Clapham Junction, Putney

Wimbledon borough: Wimbledon

Sutton borough: Carshalton Beeches, Sutton, Wallington,

Croydon borough: Coulsdon South, Coulsdon Town, East Croydon Epsom borough: Epsom, Ewell East, Ewell West, Stoneleigh