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)

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

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!

• 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!

This shake up effects all major UK Search and Rescue Teams.  As part of the migration SARA have needed to replace or reprogram all the raidos across the association.  No small task!

We would like to thank PMR Products for sponsoring our radio re-programming and supporting us with both expertise and radio equipment donations.

Visit PMR Products

Beachley Lifeboat & Rescue Station Open Day will be held between 11:00 and 16:00. You will be able to see Lifeboats, Rescue Equipment and Vehicles including Sideshows, Rescue Displays and Competitions.

You can find the station by looking for NP16 7HH, located near Chepstow, right under the M48 Severn Bridge.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This followed a visit by 2 crew members on the 12th July where they talked about water safety in the school’s assembly.

The new boat is now housed alongside Tewkesbury’s existing boat, SARA 6, at Basepoint in Tewkesbury, who are kindly leasing a unit to SARA as an interim measure until permanent premises are found.

Tewkesbury are now able to provide comprehensive safety boat cover at local events, as well as continuing to work alongside the other 3 stations when called upon to by the emergency services during search and rescue/recovery operations. SARA 11 completed her first operation on Saturday 19^th June at Tewkesbury Regatta, where 8 schools converged on the Severn at Lower Lode for the annual competition.

“Everybody from SARA worked extremely hard. Happily for us, no rowers needed our assistance. The only drama occurred when a pleasure cruiser became grounded as it was navigating the boating channel on the course and got stuck. SARA crew towed this large craft to deeper waters where they were able to continue their journey.”

Sarah Kneath, SARA Tewkesbury Chairman

SARA Tewkesbury would like to thank the public for their overwhelming generosity and making the acquisition of this vital rescue boat possible. 

See this sory in the news:
Gloucestershire Echo – Delight as boat unveiled for rescue missions

This week saw an announcement in the Summer 2010 edition of the ’Tewkesbury Borough News’, a council produced newspaper, that she would be supporting The Severn Area Rescue Association by making them one of her five chosen charities for the year. 

Everyone is encouraged to look out for the mayor’s upcoming fundraising events, the proceeds of which will be donated to the mayor’s chosen charities. 

“With the help of the mayoral team, I look forward to serving this community and pledge to do my very best to use the civic year to support, facilitate and enable initiatives of benefit to all within the borough of Tewkesbury.”
Mayor Cllr Elaine Hancox

 We would like to thank the Mayor for pledging her support to SARA.

Click to download a copy of Tewkesbury Borough News, Summer 2010 (8.2Mb)

Tewkesbury Borough News is the Council-produced newspaper published three times a year and delivered to every household in Tewkesbury Borough.