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

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 the 23rd July 2010, Bob Eaton will scull down the River Severn in aid of his chosen charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice. 

SARA will be providing a saftey boat, SARA 10 (pictured) for his trip from Stourport to Worcester.  We wish Bob the best of luck on his fundraising mission.

To donate to Acorns Children’s Hospice, please click here.

On Saturday 3rd March, darts players & customers of the Harbour Inn, Arley held a Sponsored Darts Marathon with proceeds being shared equally by SARA Wyre Forest Station and County Air Ambulance. The marathon commenced at 1200hrs and continued until 2200hrs – the object being to beat 614 ‘bulls’. The team managed to score 681 bulls in the time allowed.

The Station Chairman of Wyre Forest (Paul Watkins) together with a representative from County Air Ambulance accepted the cheques at a presentation on Thursday 22nd March and both groups received a cheque for £702-80.

On Tuesday 27th March, crew members from SARA Sharpness & Wyre Forest Stations visited Widden Primary School in Gloucester as part of Year 2’s project on Lifeboats. The children will shortly undertake a Sponsored Spell for SARA and have selected appropriate words as part of their ‘test’. They saw pictures of the other SARA lifeboats and had a close look at SARA 2 which is based at Sharpness.

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.