Local Volunteer Rescue Teams in Flood Action

Teams from each of the Severn Area Rescue Association’s (SARA) Stations based at Beachley, Sharpness and Wyre Forest (Arley) have all been working flat out throughout North Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, assisting the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services since the start of the flash floods on Friday.

Each team equipped with a four wheel drive Landrover, trailer with lifeboat and medical equipment have been deployed by the emergency services to assist in rescuing people of all ages from homes or stranded vehicles and attending 999 calls where the ambulances can not get through due to the depth of flood water.

The highly trained SARA teams are all volunteers who have been working up to 14 hour shifts before handing over their equipment to new rested teams to carry on the work continuously through out Friday, Saturday and in to Sunday.

“I am immensely proud of our teams who have all given gallant service to the community during this Major Incident. The men and women of our Association have all selflessly given up their time to provide an important additional help to the hard-pressed emergency services, the work has been long, hard and demanding both on the members and our equipment.” said Alan Stanley – Executive Chairman SARA.

During Friday through to Sunday SARA rescued in excess of 200 people and 50 pets, the highest number of incidents in any three day period of the Association’s 33 year history.

SARA is a Registered Charity funded solely by donations, if you would like to donate to SARA please write to the Executive Fund Raising Officer, Severn Area Rescue Association, The Lifeboat Station, Beachley, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 7HH.

If you have any photos of the SARA teams in action and would like to share them, please email to info@sara-rescue.org.uk.

Public quote ' Dear sirs, Just a short note to say how remarkable your lads were during the flooding in my area of Longford, Gloucester. We were completely cut off and were getting no response from anyone, we are a family of seven with a 3 month old baby. Our only contact came from your lads which i must compliment them on being the most professionally organized rescue team out of all the emergency services in the area, Credit were credit is due, I am very grateful for the support I received and if I can help your organization in any way please let me know. Many thanks Ashley Hayday '