Police and Crime Commissioner backs lifeboat volunteers

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, has given £1,500 to support the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

SARA operates from the Malpas fire station and is crewed by volunteers. It assists Gwent Police with missing person searches and other incidents that occur across Gwent and along the Severn Estuary.

Jeff Cuthbert said: “SARA provides a valuable service to Gwent Police and the emergency services. 

“The volunteer crew do an important job and I am delighted to support them and the fantastic work they do to keep our waters and our residents safe.”

SARA is a registered charity and relies on support from the public to purchase and maintain equipment and train crew members. Volunteers are regularly called on to support the coastguard, police and emergency services, responding to more than 100 incidents a year.

Richard Dainty from SARA said: “We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for this donation.

“Our lifeboat station costs about £20,000 every year to operate and this donation will go towards maintaining our boats, vehicles and equipment.”