It was a pleasure to speak with Marcus from SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) at the Community and Emergency Services Day at the Cotswolds Designer Outlet and to hear about the extraordinary work SARA does along the rivers Avon, Severn, Usk, and Wye.

SARA is a volunteer search and rescue organisation supporting the emergency services across land and water. Its 200 volunteers, operating from seven search and rescue stations, including Tewkesbury, respond to more than 100 call-outs every year.

Working closely with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue Services, and Police, their teams undertake cliff and mud rescue, flood and inland water response, land searches, and lifeboat operations. SARA also provides inshore lifeboat cover on parts of the Severn and Usk not covered by the RNLI.

Alongside emergency response, SARA provides water-safety education and training, with opportunities to get involved in both specialist and non-operational roles.

Their skill, dedication, time, and resources make an enormous difference to the communities that they serve.

A huge thank you to Marcus and to everyone at SARA for all that you do for Tewkesbury!

Find out more here: sara-rescue.org.uk