“We know the dark hatchback turned up at the slipway at 05:19 am. Our infra-red CCTV surveillance system clearly shows the two men pulling the signs from their mounting,” said Mervyn Fleming, Chairman of Beachley Lifeboat and Rescue Station. “Gloucestershire police have been given a description of the vehicle and occupants but unfortunately there will be a delay while we send the tape off for enhancement before the car’s number-plate can be clearly read… unfortunately for the thieves, the signs are made from plastic composite and worth absolutely nothing as scrap: there is a sticker on the back of each sign explaining this. The men had a torch so they should have read the stickers and saved everyone a lot of trouble”

The two road signs warned motorists on Beachley road that they were approaching a harbour side with a dangerous drop onto the beach.

It is hoped that the Forest of Dean Highways Department will replace the signs as a matter of urgency.

“Over the years several vehicles have overshot the roadway and plunged into the swift-flowing estuary,” said Mr Fleming, “only last year the lifeboat was launched to the rescue of a driver trapped in a car which was swept away by the tide.

These signs are of particular importance to visitors and tourists who are unfamiliar with the road… lives could be lost through this act of vandalism.”

The Daisychain Shop on Bridge Street has two annual busy summer weekends – Evesham River Festival (6th-8th July) and Evesham Festival (25th-27th August), a three-day fishing event.

Crew have also been collecting reuseable goods and have started donating these to Daisychain for processing and sale to raise money for the charitable causes Daisychain supports. SARA was named as one of their main charities for 2012/2013 with their local focus being key to this.

Station Manager at Tewkesbury, Tom Keeling said:

“We are thrilled Daisychain Benevolent Fund has chosen SARA to be a main charity for next year. We are keen to help out with their activities as much as we can, and the whole crew has got behind this by offering time or donating goods. The service our volunteer crews provide benefits all the communities in our local area, something that is at the very heart of Daisychain’s aims.”

Wyre Forest Rescue Station and Tewkesbury Rescue Station are looking for the donation of items that can be sold by DCBF in its shops – either contact your local station to arrange delivery/collection or take directly to any DCBF shop, telling the staff “SARA sent you!”

The items they are always looking for include:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Bric-a-brac
• Books
• CDs, DVDs, etc
• And more!

Keep your eyes peeled on our news feed for details of when and where SARA crew will be appearing at DCBF shops and events!

For further information on Daisychain visit: daisychainbenevolentfund.co.uk

We apologise for any inconvenience.

We are accepting new applications for this new date, please contact Dave Thompson at d.thompson@sara-rescue.org.uk for entry forms.

If you have booked onto the original date please contact Dave Thompson ASAP to confirm you have received the change of date details.

The location of the town near the Severn estuary and the River Lyd makes it flood risk area, and an ideal location for the inter-agency exercise.

SARA joined police, fire, ambulance and other volunteer groups at the end of March for the three day flood response exercise.

Our teams worked alongside a number of other agencies including:

• Gloucestershire Police
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
• Great Western Ambulance Service

See more on the BBC website.

Head of Retail, Davina Roberts said:
‘Daisychain Benevolent Fund shop has recently undergone a long overdue ‘makeover’ and we are holding this launch to celebrate the new look and re-opening. As well as raising cash for our nominated charities this is an excellent opportunity for the charities themselves to raise their profile and tell people about their work in the local area.’

Miss Roberts goes on to say ‘We would like as many adults and children as possible to come along and meet the teams and to bring with them a bag, small or large, full of donations for the shop. We are aiming to fill the boat with clothing, bric a brac, accessories, unwanted gifts and any other items that we can sell in the shops to raise vital funds for these important local charities.’

Please come along and support the shop and learn more about SARA and Macmillan Cancer Support!

The aim of the trust is the preservation of health and the relief of sickness in the community. It raises funds through fundraising activities and the Daisychain Benevolent Fund chain of shops. All the proceeds are distributed to its nominated charities. In addition, each shop actively promotes the charity that it supports within the community, by promoting events and increasing awareness of the needs of the charities.

Each year thousands of pounds are raised and this has helped them to donate in excess of three quarters of a million pounds to their nominated charities. Currently their nominated charities are; Macmillan Cancer Support, Children’s Emergency Care at UHNS (Cheethams) and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

Throughout the year, SARA crew and supporters will be attending events organised by Daisychain, as well as volunteering in their shops at:

• St Johns, Worcester
• Barnards Green, Malvern
• Evesham
• and taking part in collections of donated items to support the retail outlets

Speaking about their nomination as a supported charity, Paul David Watkins (Deputy Executive Chairman, SARA) says:

“We are all really excited about DCBF deciding on supporting us – they are a great charity in their own right, and it is heart-warming to see that they see us as such a valuable resource to the communities we serve. This year will see us developing a strong link with DCBF, and our crews are looking forward to getting involved! Having been to a shop myself recently whilst on route back from a duty in Worcester, we can see this relationship will be great – we had only been there a minute, when we were carrying stock into the shop, laughing with the staff and talking to customers.”

Wyre Forest Rescue Station and Tewkesbury Rescue Station are looking for the donation of items that can be sold by DCBF in its shops – either contact your local station to arrange delivery/collection or take directly to any DCBF shop, telling the staff “SARA sent you!”

The items they are always looking for include:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Bric-a-brac
• Books
• CDs, DVDs, etc
• And more!

Keep your eyes peeled on our news feed for details of when and where SARA crew will be appearing at DCBF shops and events!

For further information on Daisychain visit: daisychainbenevolentfund.co.uk

Derek has played many vital roles within the organization over the past 8 years. He will be sorely missed by all those who have worked with him.

Over the years Derek has been a crew member with our Beachley station, taking on the responsibilities as Helmsman, RYA Powerboat Instructor and a period on our Executive Committee as Deputy Chairman. His drive and foresight have enhanced the training facilities at Beachley station and the inaugural “Cross Border Inter-agency Emergency Services Forum”.

His funeral will take place at the Forest of Dean Crematorium on Tuesday 3rd April at 2:30pm.

Derek was much loved and will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts are with his wife Gill and daughters Hannah and Chloe, along with the rest of his family and friends.

The committee hold these vital meetings  to discuss the continued successful running for the local search and rescue team who provide 24/7 cover to assist emergency service north of Worcester to the Welsh borders.

This is another example of how the local community support the team who would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff at Cue and Brew, Kidderminster for their support.

Wyre Forest crew with staff from The Cue & Brew

Why? Because it shows your friends and family that you support this exciting global giving event.

Now’s the time to invite them to join you on February 22, 2012 to support your favorite cause.

OK, so you’ve already liked us on Facebook. You’re following us on Twitter. Want to up the ante?

Why not copy and paste this as your Facebook status:

You’ve seen the videos go viral. What could happen if giving goes viral? On February 22, I’m supporting the important work of the Severn Area Rescue Association through Everyone Gives, a global giving campaign that lets us give to the cause of your choice and watch your donation multiply around the world. Please share this video with your friends to let them know how they can be a part of the world’s social giving campaign and consider the Severn Area Rescue Association as their charity. www.tinyurl.com/everyonegivesvideo

Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

We thank you for your support and any donations we recieve will help save lives throughout the Severn Area.

The sessions will go ahead on Thursday, February 16 and 23, to ensure all crew members maintain their skills and are fully prepared for any crucial rescue missions they may face.

Water assessments for new crew members and the existing operational team will be taking place, as well as the leisure centre’s pool acting as a controlled environment for spinal board training.

SARA is tasked by the coastguard, fire, police and ambulance services across its operational area to provide search and rescue services 24/7, 365 days of the year.

The crew’s operational area is not only the Severn Estuary, but includes the middle and lower sections of the Severn and the rivers Avon, Teme, Wye, Monnow, Ebbw, Bristol Avon and Usk. It also has rescue stations at Wyre Forest and Tewkesbury and lifeboat stations at Beachley and Sharpness.

A spokesman for SARA said: The crew are passionate about providing a professional rescue service to the local community, and whatever the circumstances will turn out if called today, tomorrow, next week, month or even next year. As well as every member of the SARA being a volunteer the association is entirely funded by public donations, so please show your support by visiting the website and contributing to such a worthy organisation.

For more information visit sara-rescue.org.uk.