Bob Eaton single sculled from Stourport on Severn to Worcester, a distance of just over 19 kilometers, on 23 July 2010. The river had risen dramatically overnight but on inspection was found to be safe to make the trip. There were three river locks to negotiate and manouvering a scull in and out of the locks was a bit of an experience.

The trip was accomplished in just over 3 hours and without major incident, only a couple of close calls with overhanging trees.

72 year old Bob has now completed the last fundraising spectacular in his ‘Four Elements’ challenge. He has driven from Oman to Bewdley (Land), done a parachute jump (Air), a barefoot fire walk (Fire) and now the scull (Water). All done in aid of the Acorns Children’s Hospice in memory of his own son David.

To date Bob has raised over £1,000 and the firgure is still rising. Bob has written a letter of thanks and made a personal donation to SARA for providing his safety cover.

Read more:
SARA – Supporting Bob Eaton & Acorns!
Stourport Boat Club – Challenged

This month sees the migration of SARA from the old to the new UK SAR (United Kingdom Search and Rescue) radio frequancies. 

This shake up effects all major UK Search and Rescue Teams.  As part of the migration SARA have needed to replace or reprogram all the raidos across the association.  No small task!

We would like to thank PMR Products for sponsoring our radio re-programming and supporting us with both expertise and radio equipment donations.

Visit PMR Products

Following a “wear a T-shirt for SARA day” held on Thursday 15th July 2010, Churchdown Village Junior School have generously donated £158.50 to SARA’s Tewkesbury Station to go towards a new engine which is desperately needed.

This followed a visit by 2 crew members on the 12th July where they talked about water safety in the school’s assembly.

SARA volunteers Dave Thompson and Victoria McKenzie with Jessica Gibbs from the Free Press and pupils at Pembroke primary school

SARA volunteers strongly believe that teaching local people about sea safety is one of the more important aspects of what we do. As the summer starts and the weather warms up there is a massive temptation to take a dip in either the River Severn or Wye, but SARA want to remind people that these waters are very dangerous. Throughout June SARA have been visiting local schools to speak to children about how to stay safe this summer.

On 11th June Dave Thompson and Vicky McKenzie went to Pembroke Primary School in Bulwark to present children with certificates of thanks for raising money to replace SARA 3. They also took SARA 3 and Mobile 1 with them and spoke to several classes about the dangers of the water.

The next day, on 12th June Mark Carwardine and Vicky McKenzie went to Offa’s Mead Primary School’s Summer fete in Sedbury with SARA 3 and Mobile 1. The children were given informal discussions about how to keep themselves safe while enjoying the summer weather.

After more than a year of searching for a suitable building, the crew of Tewkesbury Rescue Station are celebrating after Basepoint offered a unit rent free for the next two years!

The unit will not only house the team’s vehicle and boat, it will also provide a great office space.

“Without this generous offer from Basepoint, Tewkesbury SARA would be a lot further away from becoming an operational rescue station, and huge thanks must go to manager Kate Harrison for arranging this.”

Sarah Kneath, Station Chairman

SARA Tewkesbury would also like to thank Cheltenham College for allowing them to use their boathouse in Lower Lode Lane as a temporary base until a more permanent home was found.

Once up and running, SARA Tewkesbury will serve as a stand-alone station operating within the Tewkesbury area, as well as continuing to provide assistance where needed further afield.

Tewkesbury will be holding a station open day on Saturday, October 31, which will be open to everybody to come and meet the crew.

See this sory in the news:
Tewkesbury Admag – River rescue team celebrates new base in Tewkesbury
Evesham Journal – River rescue team celebrates new base in Tewkesbury
Invest in Gloucestershire – Business centre aids SARA team