• Dare you take the 720m ZipWire challenge?
• Challenge friends, colleagues or your boss!
• Make it a team building event!
• Help us to save lives in our region
• Be the first to ride the UK’s Longest Zip Wire
• Win a trip on a SARA lifeboat

The National Diving & Activity Centre is promoting a Sponsored ZipWire fundraising event for SARA on Saturday/Sunday 14/15th April 2012 at the National Diving & Activity Centre, Chepstow.

Be the First to ride the ZipWire – The highest fundraiser on www.JustGiving.com (online & Mobile donations only) 2 weeks before the event will win the Golden Ticket!

Win a Trip on SARA1 – Every participant collecting £100 or more in sponsorship will be entered in a draw for a thrilling trip aboard a high speed rescue boat with the individual collecting the highest amount of sponsorship guaranteed a place.

This event is being promoted by The National Diving & Activity Centre for the purpose of raising funds for SARA. Registration Fee of £20 is required and a pledge to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship for SARA is required (registration Fee can be recovered from sponsorship)

Entry forms and further information below:

• ZipWire 2012 Information Sheet
• ZipWire 2012 Team Challenge
• ZipWire 2012 Poster A3
• ZipWire 2012 Entry Form
• ZipWire 2012 Parental Consent

Severn Area Rescue Association is passing through its 38th year of operation. All of this would not be possible without the continued support of you and others in raising funds.

A few years ago we launched the SARA Charity Ball to help recognise the work we do for the local community, this was so successful we have continued it every year since.

We would like to invite you to the 2011 “SARA Annual Charity Ball” to enjoy the festivities and allow SARA to thank you for all your efforts in keeping us going and helping us save lives in our region.

This year’s SARA Annual Ball is being held on Friday 18th November at the exclusive St. Pierre Golf and Country Club, Chepstow.

Tickets are £39 and include:

• 3 course meal
• Disco
• Charity “funny money” casino
• Raffle
• Auction

Tickets are now available and can be purchased individually, for couples, for groups or tables of 10. Tickets are limited and offered on a first come first served basis. So if you want a ticket, tickets or a table – please confirm ASAP

The dress code is Black Tie and Ball Gowns (a chance to get dressed up).

The evening is going to be one to remember and definitely one you won’t forget – We do hope you can join us and indeed bring a friend or two!

For further information, questions and tickets, please contact:
David Thompson
07725744636
d.thompson@sara-rescue.org.uk

The move sees SARA’s volunteers combining resources and sharing premises with the firefighters to create a hub for water rescue in Tewkesbury and surrounding areas with the station being renamed ‘Gloucestershire Water Rescue Centre’. The partnership means improved coordination and interoperability between the two agencies. SARA has four rescue stations at strategic points along the River Severn, including Sharpness Lifeboat station which is also prolific in water rescue in the county.

SARA Tewkesbury currently has two inshore rescue boats alongside a boat haulage and land search vehicle. The new centre houses multiple Rescue Boat, Land Search and Swiftwater Rescue Teams providing a greater level of response to all water-related incidents as well as ensuring the area is better prepared for future large-scale floods.

“We are thrilled to be at the heart of this bold move by both our agencies. The benefit this will bring to the local community is huge, and the standard of service we can deliver is first class and unrivalled in the UK. We are looking forward to working ever closer with GFRS personnel and developing our relationship with them”.

Chris Crowley, Station Chairman and charity trustee

.

SARA & GFRS working together on Water Rescue

Photo Opportunity! Gloucestershire Water Rescue Centre will be officially opened by Gloucestershire County Council Leader, Cllr Mark Hawthorne at 11.30am on Saturday 15th October. Please come along to the centres open day and join in.

In The News:

• Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS) – Organisations join forces to boost water rescue response in the county
• BBC News – New water rescue centre created for Gloucestershire
• BBC Points West: 12/10/2011 – SARA & GRFS are featured 10:40 to 13:10
• Gloucestershire County Council – Press Release
• BBC Radio Gloucestershire: 15/10/2011 Flood defences – SARA & GRFS are featured 1:09:00 to 1:13:05
• Mountain Rescue – SARA in UK First for Water Rescue
• Gloucestershire Echo – Tewkesbury home to new water rescue centre
• Tewkesbury ADMAG – SARA joins forces with Tewkesbury rescue station
• narrowboatworld – River rescue centre

Note to media: Usage of the above photos both online and in print, is permitted for publicising the launch of the centre and its open day.

This was the start of a long day, and a longer journey, as Ben (a crew member of Tewkesbury Station) and his friend, Dan Edwards, prepared to start the sponsored cycle ride from SARA’s most northerly rescue station – Wyre Forest – right down to the most southerly – Beachley. The eighty-mile journey would take the intrepid cyclists past the other two stations, Tewkesbury and Sharpness, and would prove be a test of both fitness and determination.

We set off on our way up the M5, and just over an hour later we arrived at Wyre Forest, just north-east of Kidderminster – where we were welcomed by the station manager and promptly offered a cup of tea. Whilst I was sat in the warmth, sipping my tea, the madmen donned their Lycra and hopped on their trusty steeds – raring to set off. As the clock struck eight, they went on their way and this was when the journey had really begun.

I waited around twenty minutes, then set off in my car, thinking I’d catch them up a couple of miles down the road. As the miles went on, corner after corner, I had not seen a glimpse of them and started to wonder whether they had been blown off course (or maybe had stopped for a stealthy bacon roll at a roadside cafe, which I must have driven right past). Slightly bewildered, I pressed on, and after about eighteen miles I spotted two white and blue specks in the distance, just on the outskirts of Worcester on the A38 – under an hour after setting off.

After a quick glucose fix, they were back on the saddles and off again. Following the road through the centre of Worcester, and then out the other side, the weather took a turn for the worse, with the drizzle and squalls setting in. They cyclists were heading straight into a strong headwind and, judging by how the car was blowing around, I realised how challenging the conditions had become. Pushing on, the village of Kempsey had came and quickly went, and as the hedgerows become shorter and the wind got stronger, but onwards they battled.

I drove ahead and then stopped in a lay-by not far from Severn Stoke, and before long they appeared in the distance again, on good form, and waved as they cycled past – clearly comfortable and enjoying the ride. The M50 bridge soon was above us, and on we went towards Tewkesbury. Just after the town centre, Ben and Dan stopped at a car park for a short break and were warmly greeted by the Tewkesbury Station Chairman (Chris Crowley) and Ben’s family. As usual, they didn’t hang around and set off towards Gloucester, still on the A38.

They went through several villages, exposed to the elements, and approached the outskirts of Gloucester. The blustery weather made an already challenging cycle ride into a gruelling slog, and I started to wonder how they would cope from the comfort of my car. It didn’t take long for Ben and Dan to get through Gloucester, and out the other side. Then disaster struck – Ben called to say he had a flat tyre and the replacement inner tube’s valve was not a standard size.

We met up in a car park, and it soon became apparent that no matter how much Dan tried, the valve was not going to fit in the wheel and we had a problem on our hands. After some head scratching, the deflated inner tube was pumped up and we listened for a puncture. Strangely, none of us could hear the leak and we decided to try again – putting it down to a disturbed valve. Suddenly things picked up, the tyre seemed to hold its pressure, and off they set towards Hardwicke.

We met up again back on the A38, near Frampton upon Severn, and I really started to feel guilty being sheltered from the relentless headwind in a car. As the cyclists stopped for a drink, I could see fatigue had set in, and this – compounded with news that the tyre had deflated again – wasn’t good news, with nearly thirty miles to go.

The next ten miles looked like a real grind, but on they went – making steady progress and taking the tarmac in their stride nonetheless. We stopped at Stone, and pumped up the tyre again, and I could see the change in morale as exhaustion had now unmistakably set in. Back on the saddles they went, and they pushed on to Thornbury, where we turned off the seemingly endless A38 and took a smaller road towards Elberton. After a short while on some winding roads, the Severn Bridge appeared over the top of the trees. This was a massive psychological boost and the new lease of life gave a prolonged burst of speed as they flew down the lanes towards the estuary.

The next problem was the power of the wind over the two-mile bridge – forcing them to temporarily have to hop off and push. Once well over the Severn and above the Wye, Ben and Dan clambered back on and fought the wind, making their way to solid ground where they could almost taste the tea that was brewing at Beachley station. The final leg of the journey was punishing, and the last five miles, running on fumes, just seemed endless.

They cycled through Chepstow, with a half flat tyre on Ben’s bike, back over the Wye again, and into Sedbury they trekked. The finish eventually came into site and the two exhausted cyclists met a warm welcome from cheering crew members from Beachley and Wyre Forest.

A fantastic effort all round, and a huge thanks to Ben and Dan for such a feat of determination – all for SARA.

Want to sponsor Ben? Click here to give online via Just Giving!

In The News:
This is Gloucestershire – Ben’s aiming to raise bundle for SARA fund

SARA will be hosting a Black Tie Gala Dinner at Spring Grove House, Bewdley on Friday 23rd September. This event is kindly supported by Stratstone Lotus, Aston Martin and Jaguar.

Friday 23rd September 2011
Prestige Cars to View & Test, Charity Auction & Live Band.
£65 per person. Max 10 per table.

There will be a range of prestige cars to view & test,
4 course dinner, Charity Auction & Live Band.

17:30 – Selection of Prestige and Luxury automobiles from Stratstone Aston Martin, Lotus and Jaguar will be available for viewing. SARA Vehicles, Rescue Boats & Equipment will be on display.
18:30 – Drinks Reception accompanied by String Quartet.
18:45 – SARA Rescue Demonstration.
19:30 – Welcome by SARA Chairman followed by a 4-course Dinner.
21:30 – Grand Charity Auction in aid of SARA.
22:00 – Dancing in the Cellarz Bar to Live Band or relax at you table to a String Quartet.
Carriages at 01:00hrs

For further details, please contact Mark Lucas on 07973 235570 or by email

This event is being promoted by The National Diving & Activity Centre for the purpose of raising funds for SARA. As well as experiencing an exciting abseil in a spectacular location participants (collecting £120 or more in sponsorship) will be entered in a draw for a thrilling trip aboard one of SARA’s high speed rescue boats with the individual collecting the highest amount of sponsorship guaranteed a place. Entry and Sponsorship forms available.

If you would like to take part, please read the information sheet and then return the entry form by Friday 11th September 2011.

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.