A CURRY night in Chepstow’s Drill Hall has raised around £1,800 for the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

On Saturday, October 10, The Mayor, Cllr Vanessa Badderley-Potter, welcomed guests to her first Mayoral charity event of the year, which brought the community together to support SARA’s vital rescue work.

The evening was organised in collaboration with Chepstow’s Marmalade House Cafe, and featured a three-course Ceylon curry buffet, with an impressive variety of dishes.

Food ranged from vegan kottu and beetroot curry to black pork and chicken curry. There were also delicious starters and desserts.

Following the meal, audience member Jan Karvick entertained the crowd before local band Gate 7 took to the stage, while some guests took to the dance floor.

Gate 7 Chepstow
Local band Gate 7 entertain the guests after the meal (Cllr Jim MacTaggart)

Nadine Ikin, Fundraising Volunteer at SARA, said: “It was a fabulous evening, and we are very thankful for all the time and energy Vanessa and all the councillors have put behind us for this brilliant fundraising event. Thank you so much.”

Mayor Vanessa Badderley-Potter said: “SARA are made up entirely of volunteers and they rely on fundraising so it is wonderful to see so many people come together to support them. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and chose to spend their Saturday evening helping this vital charity, whose volunteers work tirelessly to help keep people safe across our local area. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the evening such a success.”

SARA Curry
Members of the SARA team at the Mayor’s charity curry night. L2R Steve Lewis, Nadine Ikin, Toity Deave, Warren Lester, Steve Trott and Ryan Games, alongside Duke of Edinburgh Award students Ben, Liam and Thomas. (Cllr Jim MacTaggart)

All proceeds from the event will support SARA’s ‘Replacing SARA Rescue Boats’ project, which includes replacing some boats and refurbishing existing vessels.

One of the boats used by SARA’s Beachley team, RESCUE 5, has been involved in numerous rescues over the years, including during flooding in Monmouth and surrounding areas. The Jeanneau Rigiflex Newmatic 360 is designed to launch in difficult locations, but it is now due for an upgrade to a more modern and reliable flood rescue boat.

To find out more about SARA and its work, visit the Severn Area Rescue Association website.

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