• 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

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

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.

When Don reached 60, he decided he wanted to raise money for charity by undertaking cycling events. He cut up his own road bike and with help from a friend, welded it back together as a recumbent cycle for his ride from London to Paris. For 2011, Don will cycle from the Cutty Shark in London to SARA’s Sharpness lifeboat station.

Money raised will go towards fitting out the new boathouse at Sharpness – the training room requires furniture. Why is a training room important? Each crew member gives up a Thursday evening and Sunday morning so that they can be trained to deal with any type of emergency. Much of this training is on land and water exercises but also includes classroom sessions where crew are trained in the technical background knowledge required to help them to save more lives.

So far, we can report on the proposed route for day one. Don will be supplying more information on his route in due course and we will keep you up to date.

Day 1 – Cycle Route from Cutty Shark, London to Didcot, Oxfordshire (67 miles)

Don is now building a single wheel trailer to carry his tent etc for the trip. Don will be covering his own expenses so 100% of your donation will go to SARA. If you would like to support Don in this cycle, then please donate via his sponsor page on Just Giving.

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

• The award of ‘Bristol Blue’ paper weights to Keith Hadly, Alan Palmer and Graham Tudor, for 25 years service.
• Bouquet of flowers each for the wives of the above
• Commendation awards to Any Mills, Nick Phillips, Martin Everett and Kevin Green
• Bouquet of flowers to wives of the above
• Award of Merit to Megs Green

Commemorative plaque’s to:

• HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Swansea
• HM Coastguard Sharpness CRT (Accepted by Pete Western SO)
• ‘A’ Flight 22sqn Royal Air Force Chivenor
• Gloucester Fire & Rescue Service  (Accepted by Tim Lanfear)
• Gloucestershire Police (Accepted by Ch Insp Derek Jones Operations)
• Great Western Ambulance Service (Accepted by  Kevin Dickens)
• SARA Executive (accepted by Alan Stanley)

• 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!

The donation by the Mark Masons is in recognition of the efforts of SARA in the July 2007 floods in Gloucestershire.

In a press release issued before the event, the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro.John Eley said “I am delighted that the Assistant Grand Master will attend to unveil a commemorative stone, carved by one of our own members David Yeates, and that SARA have invited a wide range of Civic Dignitaries from the area they serve to attend. SARA depends on charitable support and we are proud to be associated with them in improving their response to rescues on the Severn”.

SARA Executive Chairman Alan Stanley said “without the donation from the Mark Master Masons it is doubtful how SARA could have continued their rescue facility at Sharpness due to the condition of the 1903 crane which was their only means of launching the lifeboat.   Now with a dedicated slipway, this will not be a problem in the future.”

Sharpness Station Chairman Geoff Dawe said “Over the last 21 years the SARA Sharpness Lifeboats have been deployed in saving numerous lives and will continue to do so with the benefit of the new Keystone Slipway thanks to the generosity of the Mark Masons”.

As with all such life-saving organisations, the ceremony included a Dedication Prayer and Hymn, and was followed by a demonstration launch from the new boathouse and slipway.

See this story elsewhere: http://www.gandhmark.org/PublicPages/SARA.aspx

Geoff Dawe (coxswain) explained the necessity for wearing drysuit/lifejacket/helmet and some of the equipment carried on the lifeboat. The children presented the crew with pictures they had drawn especially for the occasion.

This follows a recent presentation on Water Safety given to the school by Brett Richings, Station Chairman at SARA Sharpness, where the children learnt of the dangers involved with water. They also met some of the crew from the lifeboat station and learnt a little of SARA’s work on the tidal estuary and beyond.