Rob Burrows 30 year old crew member of Sharpness Lifeboat Station, completed a spectacular feat as part of the open day at Sharpness Lifeboat Station.

Rob swam the River Severn from Beachley Lifeboat Station, to Sharpness Lifeboat Station, a distance of some 9 miles, in a  treacherous stretch of water. Rob completed the swim in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

At that start of the day, the attempt was in serious doubt due to the wind direction (NNE) which resulted in a wind over tide situation, causing very disturbed sea conditions. Rob was keen to attempt the swim. Accompanied by two Lifeboats, one carrying a Paramedic with full oxygen and First Aid equipment, Rob set off from Beachley slipway at 1030.

The first 2 miles went quite well with Rob maintaining a good speed, he then encountered severe conditions caused by the wind blowing against the Spring tide. Large seas, spray and very turbulent water did not stop Rob in his attempt. He finally arrived off Sharpness Lifeboat Station slipway at 1230, this was his most difficult part of the swim and Rob was quite visibly struggling as he attempted to make the Sharpness Keystone Slipway with the surging tide pushing him offshore and past the slipway.

With encouragement of the lifeboat crews and the crowd on the quay wall, Rob struggled on finally making the slipway at 1240. A monumental feat accomplished.

If you would like to congratulate Rob by donating please click here

From Thursday 05th to Sunday 8th of August members from Wyre Forest provided first aid cover for a Country and Western event at Stratford Racecourse hosted by the Redditch Westerners.

Gunfighters from the Redditch Westerners with SARA Wyre Forest Members

Formed in 1998 Redditch Westerners are one of the largest Western Clubs in the Midlands – with many of their members being “authentic” westerners – with gunfighters, Indians and “Mountain Men”.

This is the 3rd time SARA has provided first aid cover to the Blue Rodeo event at Stratford Racecourse – now hailed as the biggest event of its type in the Midlands with a large outdoor stage, replica western town and gun fighting arena.

Crew from Wyre Forest attended and set up a First Aid post complete with Ambulance and Minor Injuries and Treatment centre and provided 24hr cover including foot patrols for the duration of the event whilst open to the public. Thankfully the skills of the team were only required to treat minor injuries including minor burns and insect bites – but still managed to treat 20 patients and raise over £400!

At the end of the event the flags from all participants and the “States” they represent were paraded around the arena. SARA was represented by Dan Gale, WF Secretary bearing the SARA pennant.

Wyre Forest have now not only been asked to cover the event again next year but the crew have been invited to attend one of the monthly social events the club holds to let their hair down and enjoy themselves!

On Sunday 15th August 2010, Sharpness will be hosting their annual open day, this year celebrating 25 years of service on the River Severn.  The station will be open from 10am till 4pm so there is plenty of time to call in.

• Lifeboat station tours
• Lifeboat demonstrations
• Crew sponsored swim, Beachley Station to Sharpness Station (9.5 miles) – Sponsor Rob here!
• BBQ
• Cake stall
• Boat Jumble
• Dinghy sailing
• Award ceremony 14:00hrs
• Other Emergency Services (Ambulance, Police)
• Meet author Chris Witts who will be selling signed copies of his new book ‘The Severn Bridge Disaster’

During the day, Rob an accomplished swimmer and a fully trained lifeboat crew member will be attempting to complete a sponsored swim from Beachley Station to Sharpness Station. This over a 9 mile swim in some torturous water. If you would like to sponsor Rob, please click here. 

Please remember that the Severn represents some of the most dangerous water around the UK coast and that swimming should never be undertaken in its fully tidal waters. Rob will have two lifeboats accompanying him all of the time he is in the water.

Bring your family along for an enjoyable day by the water, see your local lifeboats and meet the crew, enjoy the BBQ and home made cakes.

Call in and support your local lifeboats!

On Sunday 15th August, the UK’s only Lifeboat AND Mountain Rescue Training Centre will be opening its doors!

Beachley Lifeboat & Rescue Station Open Day will be held between 11:00 and 16:00. You will be able to see Lifeboats, Rescue Equipment and Vehicles including Sideshows, Rescue Displays and Competitions.

You can find the station by looking for NP16 7HH, located near Chepstow, right under the M48 Severn Bridge.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tewkesbury Station is pleased to announce the arrival of their brand new rescue boat. The Jeanneau Rigiflex Newmatic (SARA 11) was able to be purchased due to the generosity of the general public. SARA is funded totally by donations and fundraising, including street collections, the most recent involving Tewkesbury Crew was at Evesham Morrisons on 26th June where a staggering £1054 was raised!

The new boat is now housed alongside Tewkesbury’s existing boat, SARA 6, at Basepoint in Tewkesbury, who are kindly leasing a unit to SARA as an interim measure until permanent premises are found.

Tewkesbury are now able to provide comprehensive safety boat cover at local events, as well as continuing to work alongside the other 3 stations when called upon to by the emergency services during search and rescue/recovery operations. SARA 11 completed her first operation on Saturday 19^th June at Tewkesbury Regatta, where 8 schools converged on the Severn at Lower Lode for the annual competition.

“Everybody from SARA worked extremely hard. Happily for us, no rowers needed our assistance. The only drama occurred when a pleasure cruiser became grounded as it was navigating the boating channel on the course and got stuck. SARA crew towed this large craft to deeper waters where they were able to continue their journey.”

Sarah Kneath, SARA Tewkesbury Chairman

SARA Tewkesbury would like to thank the public for their overwhelming generosity and making the acquisition of this vital rescue boat possible. 

See this sory in the news:
Gloucestershire Echo – Delight as boat unveiled for rescue missions