Severn Area Rescue Association » Wyre Forest

Zip Wire 2012, the UK’s longest!

Robert Jervis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:23:03 +0000

The longest ZipWire in the UK, Be the first to ride it!

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:

The Wyre Forest 2 Beachley Cycle

James Beezley — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:22:33 +0000

When Ben Peachey told me that two racing bikes, a toolkit, a large kitbag, various changes of clothes, lots of water bottles, some helmets, a cardboard box full of food – oh, and three men – would fit in my short wheelbase Land Rover, I wasn’t convinced. However, at six thirty on a windy and damp Saturday morning, he put his calculation to the test. And he was right. Just.

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

Defenders ready, Twenty-Four Severn!

Robert Jervis — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:11:55 +0000

We are featured in the Febuary edition of LRO! Mark Saville from Land Rover Owner International magazine went for a dip in the River Severn at Arley with a crew from Wyre Forest. He had accepted an invite to see how the crew utilise the two Land Rover MRUs stationed with them.

The story covers several ‘training rescues’ for which Mark played the casualty and loads of information about both the organisation and the two Land Rovers, Mobile 4 and Mobile 6.

For more information:
Land Rover Owner International magazine
LRO February 2011 Issue

Astley Primary climb aboard

Robert Jervis — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:00:47 +0000

On the 4th October, Crew from the Wyre Forest Station visited Astley Primary school where they gave a water safety talk and advice to 70 children of varying ages. The school was also supplied with a template for a colouring competition.

The children got on the boat and dressed up, looked over the Land Rover and its equipment and had a demonstration of a thermal image camera.

The school have collected donations which will be sent to Wyre Forest in the near future.

Photo used with Parental Permission.

Mayor of Ledbury wins a river trip!

Robert Jervis — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:02:13 +0000

On 15th August 2010, crew from SARA’s Wyre Forest station attended the launch of the Gurkha Fund which was held in Ledbury. As well as fundraising for ourselves, SARA donated a trip on the River Severn to the Gurkha Fund raffle.

The prize was won by Peter Winter, the Mayor of Ledbury. SARA’s Executive Chairman Alan Stanley was the helm of SARA 8 on the 12th September when Peter and his wife took their trip on the River Severn.

In the news
BBC – Ledbury launches Gurkha Action Fund

Meet the Heroes…

Bruce Acton — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:40:44 +0000

On 30th August 2010, the crew also attended a ‘Meet the Heroes Day’ at Avoncroft Museum. This was an event organised by the museum for the public to meet, as they put it, ‘Ordinary people who do extraordinary things’.

As a lifeboat organisation we provided a display including a boat, landrover and photoboards which was put inside the museum grounds.

A large number of children took the chance to dress up in lifejacket and helmet and look over the boat (SARA8), and parents showed great interest in the work SARA undertakes.

“A Night at the Races!”

Paul Watkins — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:17:37 +0000

SARA Wyre Forest would like to invite you to “A night at the races!”. This event is rasing money to support the work of your local Lifeboat and Mountain Search & Rescue Team.

Where? – The Eagle and Spur, Bridge Road, Cookley
When? – 1900hrs (first race 1930hrs), Saturday 11th December 2010
How Much? – £6 Adults / £3 Children

Ticket price includes HOT food!
(Luxury Puddings will be available for purchase too!)

8 races including a Grand Auction Race, Prize Draw including the chance to win a Lifeboat experience on one of SARA’s rescue craft!

Tickets available behind the Bar at the Eagle and Spur, from ANY of the Wyre Forest Station Crewmembers or by emailing: severnrescuewf@tiscali.co.uk

SARA wishes to thank Nuala Campbell and her staff at the Eagle and Spur Public House for their continued and valued support.

The Eagle and Spur – Map (Approx.)

Matt and the Longmynd 50

Robert Jervis — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:36:26 +0000

Matt Massey an active member of Severn Area Rescue Association is preparing to walk 50 miles over 24 hours undertaking the Longmynd walk on 2nd October 2010.

Matt will be raising money for the replacement of SARA’s ICU vehicle housed at the Wyre Forest station.

The ICU (Incident Command Unit) is a vital part of the organisation and is used in large incidents as the control point for search and rescue teams.

Matt is already off to a good start with over £100 having been donated via his JustGiving page!

“I am greatly looking forward to this challenge and the chance to raise as much money as possible for charity.”
Matt Massy

If you would like to support Matt or make a donation please visit his donation page.

Safety Boat for £1000+ Charity Scull

Bruce Acton — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:29:59 +0000

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.

Wyre Forest Rescue Station at Blue Rodeo

Paul Watkins — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:29:26 +0000

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!