THE Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) has been awarded £35,000 out of a £1 million government grant to water rescue charities around the UK.

The £35,219.66 grant is part of a £913,000 pot awarded by Maritime Minister John Hayes yesterday (24th January).

This is the third round of funding provided under a five year, £5 million scheme, announced as part of the 2014 budget statement.

The grant supports charities running local lifeboat and rescue services, helping those in danger on and around inland and inshore waterways, including during flooding and other incidents.

The money can be used to buy new lifeboats and other equipment such as lifejackets and safety gear.

SARA Chairman Chris Crowley commented: “We are very grateful for this grant, and welcome the recognition of the valuable service which SARA provides and the cost which that entails. This money will help us to keep the rescue boat cover at Sharpness, provided by its lifeboats and hovercraft, available in almost all tide and weather conditions.

The SARA lifeboat and rescue services, across all our stations, are being called upon more and more each year. As well as investing in Sharpness, we were recently able to commission a new lifeboat for Newport in October, and a new rescue boat for the Wyre Forest Station at Kidderminster last weekend.”

Maritime Minister, John Hayes, said: “Every day countless volunteers in water rescue charities across our island nation carry out vital work during emergencies, not only around our coasts but also keeping our rivers, lakes and inshore waters safe.

“It is imperative that we value and support their tireless efforts. I am delighted to be able to announce the latest round of funding, ensuring they have the equipment and resources they need to provide their round-the-clock lifesaving services.

An expert panel - including representatives from the devolved administrations, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the Royal Yachting Association - assessed applications submitted to the Department for Transport.

They were judged on the basis of how the equipment or training will be used to support lifesaving, search and rescue operations and flood response capability locally and nationally.

Also considered was whether the funding will deliver wider community benefits and how the equipment and skills will bring sustainable benefits.