January 2003

COLOURFUL BOOST FOR RESCUE SERVICE

Members of a search and rescue service based on the coast of South Gloucestershire have received a welcome boost following a donation of new high visibility jackets.

The jackets have been donated by local electricity company Western Power Distribution to SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) and will provide heightened visibility for the volunteers who are regularly called upon to undertake search and rescue work in the Severn Estuary and beyond.

The members are based at three stations in the estuary - one at Beachley, one at Sharpness and one at Upton upon Severn. The 24 new top of the range jackets will be divided between the SARA stations and will allow each operation to have enough for all volunteers.

Chairman Ed Sawkins said: 'Previously we have had to share jackets between the stations but this donation will ensure that we can provide an even better service in times of emergency.

'Often we are working in the dark or in foggy and wet conditions so it is important that people can see us properly.'

SARA is the largest independent boat service in the UK. The station at Beachley has three inshore rescue boats which regularly deal with incidents in the Estuary patrolling down as far as Avonmouth and up to Upton plus parts of the Rivers Wye in Gloucestershire. In addition flood relief work forms part of the crew's activity as does the search for missing persons.

The new jackets were presented by WPD's Community Support Manager Sarah Bullock, who said:'As a company we take safety very seriously and so are always keen to support organisations which help to protect the public and raise awareness of safety issues - whether on land or sea.'

Further information on SARA and its activities can be found by logging on to www.sara-rescue.org.uk

Ends

PICTURED: Now you see them: Sarah Bullock of WPD (right) is pictured with Ed Sawkins and Tracey Higgins of SARA.

For further information please contact WPD Media Relations on 0117 933 2005

News Item added 08/2/2003