Don King was attempting to ride his home made cycle, from Trafalgar Wharf, Greenwich, to SARA’s Sharpness Lifeboat Station, in an attempt to raise funds for a new Lifeboat. In an unbelievable effort, against all the odds, and also overcoming a serious breakdown of the cycle, Don accomplished this huge and fantastic task.

Don has provided us with a write up of his fundraising challenge, if you would like to show your support for Don’s ride, or would like to donate to the appeal, please click here.

0515hrs Good Friday Morning, an eerie mist accompanied daybreak over Trafalgar Wharf, Greenwhich, staring across the mighty Thames, the towers of Canary Wharf dissappeared into the misty sky, mist rising from the Thames waters added to the ghostly image, I was here. The great marathon was about to start. First the Cutty Sark, I have always wanted to see her, and here I was, today however, dissapointment, following severe damage, she was encased in scaffolding covered by sheets to protect her. Peering through slots accomodating padlocks to the compound gates, I caught a glimpse of her bare stern, stripped of planking for repair, still a beautiful sight.

Back to the SARA Lifeboat Land Rover and trailer which had brought me and my home made cycle here for my ambitious attempt to ride back to the SARA Sharpness Lifeboat Station, in an attempt to raise funds for the new Lifeboat to be stationed there. To my horror, my Scottish Flag had been lost on the journey up, looking further into the trailer, I saw a brake block which had fallen off, a’h dash, a special allen key, delving into my trusty tool bag, out came the key, the brake block soon back on and the other tightened I was ready.

The enormity of my task suddenly dawned upon me when Geoff who had driven up, said ‘Bye don, see you at Sharpness’ I jokingly replied ‘This is where we change places, you ride I drive’ only too see Geoff roaring off in the Land Rover with my words lost in the growl of the engine, perhaps my look was a little too serious!!.

On my cycle and off I went. Through London I encountered many ‘Boris’ bikers, what a good idea that is, seems to work really well. Even the car drivers were very considerate (Fiesta drivers included!). 0900 hrs spot a good looking cafe, breakfast of Tuna salad went down well. Weather now getting hot, so off with the trousers and top, tee shirt and shorts being the order of the day. Going well now, too good, entering Acton, surely my handlebars are lower! hullucinating King I tell myself, no the really are lower, hell!! then it happened, scraping along the ground the weld on the frame had broken and the frame had cracked in half, despair, what can I do? garage welder, lets go, three garages later and all I could hear was ‘Sorry Sir’ total despair!! With sinking heat and carrying a bike which was now in two pieces, I came upon a chap how offered to help carry to the next garage, and there elation, ‘Yes Sir, but it will cost’ So there I was, a couple of guys who spoke little english, arguing with a lady and her son about an un paid bill, but making a start on the welding, in between, selling a car and fixing another with wheel and brake problems. Eventually after losing around five hours, I was on my way again. Bound for Didcot, I arrived at 2000hrs and immediately found that I did not have my tent poles, a couple of bananas and wrapped up as best I could, I attempted to get some sleep. How I had forgotton just how hard good old mother earth is, aching hips, no energy, tired all my ‘Get up and go’ gone, the day seemed impossible. However 0900 hrs I was off again, a beautiful day, hurtling down hills at 36 mph, that weld!! hell brakes on, slow down, great progress to my second nights stop, a bed in Nailsworth.

0815hrs the next morning I set off from the Forest Green Rovers Football ground. I was shortly to be met by two Land Rovers from the SARA Sharpness Lifeboat Station manned with crew they were to escort me on the last leg of my journey, with one in front and one following, I felt good, so much so that I becam a little too comfortable hurtling down Uley Hill at 39.9 mph when realisation hit home, hell!! that weld is all that is between me and disaster, brake, brake, gently, gently, my speed dropped back to 25 mph, wow!!, hairy.

So on to Sharpness and the end of the journey, on arrival at Sharpness Lifeboat Station I was greeted by my wife Vanessa, and the crew at the station, amid the wailing of sirens and flashing blue lights on my escort vehicles, two crew members heralded the finishing line with orange flares.

A big hug from Vanessa, showered with champagne and cheers from all the crew, for a short while it drowned out the memories of pain, frustration, highes lows and all of the other sensations one has on such a journey.

My efforts were all centered around raising funds for the new Lifeboat planned for the SARA Sharpness Lifeboat Station.

The existing Lifeboat, the ‘Marian Shaw’ is due for replacement.

Due to the incoming ‘Rescue Boat Code of Practise’ the new Lifeboat will need to conform to very demanding criteria which all new Lifeboats will need to comply with. The requirements add dramatically to the build cost and the sum of £76000 will need to be raised to secure the Lifeboat.

My heartfelt thanks to all of my sponsors. Donations can be made at just giving: www.justgiving.com/Don-King

For any further information on the new Lifeboat, or how to assist, please contact: Geoff Dawe on 07919521281 (geoff.sharpness (at) sara-rescue.org.uk).

If you would like to show your support for Don’s ride, or would like to donate to the appeal, please click here.

Mrs Suzi De la Billere naming the boat

The launch of the new SARA 3 ‘Swift and Bold’ was a great success, thanks to everyone who turned up to support the SARA Beachley crew. The boat was named by Mrs Suzi De la Billere, wife of the Commanding Officer of 1 Battalion the rifles.

The new SARA 3 is now operational, the old boat has been de-commisioned and is no longer operational at Beachley station.

SARA 3 out training on the River Severn 13/03/11

For all of those who missed the opportunity to have a look at the new boat and around the station don’t panic, the annex building will be completed and officially opened in June.

Worcester Warriors v London Welsh
Saturday 19th March 2011
Kick Off @ 3 PM

Ticket Includes:

• Hospitality, 1 course meal from 1 PM
• Game, A seat in the ‘FragranceMad’ stand to watch the game!
• Auction, Access to the Charity Auction

We have been able to team up with Worcester Warriors to offer this great package, and host an event at an amazing location.  The best part is SARA benefits from ticket sales!

If you would like to reserve tickets, please contact Corporate Fundraising, click here.

Tickets are subject to availability, first come first serve. We would like to thank Worcester Warriors for their support.

Approximately 200 Pupils at Carrant Brook Junior School met crew from their local rescue station in Tewkesbury on 22nd October. SARA crew gave a Water Safety talk in the school assembly and then each class came out in turn to look at MRU 3 & SARA 11. They learnt about the rescue boat and other equipment then asked the crew questions.

SARA 11 is currently the newest boat in the fleet, and was purchased as part of establishing the rescue service in the town. It was funded by donations from the local community.

The school ran a non uniform day for all the pupils and they raised £111.05 for SARA which was presented by the schools Head Teacher, Mr David Forster.

We invited the SARA team into school as we felt that not only were they an invaluable resource to our community of which the children should be aware, but also in order to raise the awareness of the children of the importance of water safety, particularly in the Tewkesbury area with its history of flooding.

The children were thrilled to meet the team and ask questions of them about the water safety equipment and procedures for life saving that were demonstrated. They particularly enjoyed seeing the 4 x 4 and safety boat and also myself wearing the dry suit provided by the team, which created much hilarity!

A big thank you to SARA and keep up the good work.

Mr David Forster, Head Teacher
Carrant Brook Junior School

SARA volunteers strongly believe that teaching local children about water safety is an important aspect of our work and we would like to thank the school, parents and pupils for their support.

The ladies of Tewkesbury Cross Stitch Club have raised an amassing £742 through the raffle of a hand embroidered quilt. Members of the Tewkesbury Cross Stitch Club choose SARA’s Tewkesbury Rescue Station as their charity of the year for 2010. They wanted to make a difference in the town in which they live, and know how important flood rescue support is to the town.

“Mobile 3, a Land Rover unit based at Tewkesbury, is in need of electrical rewire / modernisation of all the axillaries and charging system. This donation enables this work to be completed without delay.”
Sarah Kneath, SARA Tewkesbury Chairman

The crew of Tewkesbury would like to say a big thank you to the Tewkesbury Cross Stitch Club for their support.

In The News:
This is Gloucestershire – Rescue group’s on the lookout for new home