About SARA
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) is a voluntary rescue service supported by 200 dedicated crew members, including frontline responders, command staff, and administrative personnel. Operating across 130 square miles, from the Bristol area to the Cotswolds and Brecon Beacons, encompassing the Severn estuary and river. The team provides land, sea, and water rescue services to the local community. They also support paramedics by offering training and assistance in accessing critical locations, aiding police with body and evidence recovery, and playing a broader UK-wide role in flood rescue operations.
Rescue Vehicle Upgrade
SARA’s ageing Land Rover, a critical asset for their rescue operations, has failed its MOT and is deemed beyond repair, requiring immediate retirement. This outdated and unreliable vehicle is increasingly unfit for purpose, accommodating only two crew members and lacking the capacity to meet rescue demands. Over the past 18 months, SARA has been actively fundraising to purchase a second-hand 4×4 all-terrain emergency vehicle, similar to those used by mountain rescue teams. This upgraded vehicle will transport four crew members and include a rear cabin attachment for essential rescue equipment. Without this vital resource, SARA’s rescue missions would face significant challenges.
Serving the Severn
SARA’s search and rescue operations cover over 20,000 km² around the Severn, providing services to HM Coastguard, the Police, and emergency services. It offers inshore lifeboat cover, cliff, mud, swift water, flood rescue, and land search capabilities. Operating from six bases, SARA responds to incidents involving boats, people in distress, and missing persons. An associate member of Mountain Rescue England & Wales and a certified Royal Yachting Association and Rescue3Europe agency, SARA is entirely volunteer-run and funded through donations and grants.
The Grant
The Hospital Saturday Fund awarded a grant of £10,000 to the Severn Area Rescue Association. This grant will contribute to the purchase of a search and rescue ambulance. The new vehicle will enhance the organisation’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies, including swift water rescues, cliff rescues, and land searches
Prof Andrew Tee, GMC Member, The Hospital Saturday Fund, presenting a grant of £10,000 to Marcus Twine, Leighton Bowley, Oliver Bishop, SARA Rescue Crew, & Richard Dainty SARA General Manager.
To find out more visit
www.sara-rescue.org.uk/
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