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2024-12-31-accounts

Severn Area Rescue Association Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Multi-Disciplinary Volunteer Search and Rescue Team with Fifty Years of Lifeboat Service on the River Severn

Registered Charity CIO 1193634

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

FOREWORD

I am proud to report that 2024, SARA’s 52nd year in operation, saw a record number of ‘callouts’ across the various disciplines and SARA stations. January again saw significant flooding in Gloucester and Tewkesbury, with many of the local crews assisting with rescue from flood waters and welfare checks. The power of the River Severn is a constant reminder of why SARA was started back in 1973.

There were many wonderful events held across the 7 stations in 2024, with the opportunity for the public to show support and engage with teams of volunteers at open days and fundraisers. These events are essential to SARA’s continued operations as they generate significant income for the Charity, which remains a volunteer-only organisation with no central funding. As importantly, however, they are also a great opportunity both to get very close to the crews, their stories and equipment (and even ride on the boats) and for SARA to deliver on one of its key missions - to advance public safety, particularly in and around water

I am pleased to report that the new Board of Trustees has continued to drive the organisation forward, with the development of the excellent ‘2030 Strategy’. This provides a clear path for the Charity to thrive and excel alongside the professional and other voluntary search and rescue services with which SARA works on a regular basis. As ever, safety of the volunteers and maintaining rescue assets to the highest level are paramount.

I wish the Board, management teams and all the volunteers every success in 2025 and thank you for your continued support.

The Rt. Hon. The Countess Bathurst

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

In 2024, SARA volunteers attended 150 separate operations:

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

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||| |---|---| |Contents| |Page No.| |Reference & Administrative Details|5| |Objectives and Achievements|5| |Structure, Governance and Management|6| |SARA Overview & Brief History|7| |Chair of Trustees Report|10| |CEO Report|12| |Fundraising|19| |Review of Risks|19| |Financial Review|22| |Independent Examiner’s Report|23| |Financial Statements|24| |Notes to the Financial Statements|26| |Appendix A: SARA’s Operational Role and Tasks|40| |Appendix B: 1-Page Summary of SARA Capabilities|44|

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Reference and Administrative Details

The Severn Area Rescue Association is the largest independent multi-disciplinary volunteer search and rescue team in the UK. It is also the largest independent lifeboat service in the UK, second only to the RNLI, with 14 operational boats, of which five are declared lifeboats, and approximately 200 personnel.

Registered Charity CIO Number 1193634 Registered Address The Lifeboat Station, Beachley, Chepstow, NP16 7HH Independent Accounts Examiner Helen Tinsley FCCA, Azets, Wolverhampton Bankers Lloyds Bank Plc

Objectives

The objects of the Association, as stated in its Constitution are:

  1. The protection of life and property by the provision and maintenance of a rescue service incorporating both marine operations and land operations) with, in particular, specialist skills in swiftwater / flood, land search, lifeboats, rescue boats, marine rescue and cliff rescue;

  2. To assist Government Departments and Agencies and County and Local Authorities in their provision of emergency services; and

  3. To advance public education in outdoor safety, particularly in and around water.

The Association is non-profit making, and financed by voluntary contributions, grants from any public or private organisations, and any such fundraising activities or commercial arrangements as the Executive Committee recommends to the Trustees.

The Achievement of the Objects of the Charity

The policies adopted by the Executive Committee during the course of the year have met the objects of the Charity in the following ways:

The Trustees have given due regard to the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit, and consulted with the emergency services across the relevant area, and are satisfied that the objectives and activities of SARA provide a public benefit.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

SARA is governed by its Constitution. Certain ‘non-executive’ powers are reserved for the Board of Trustees with specific powers delegated to the Executive. The Trustees have final overall legal responsibility for the organisation and its governance. Non-Executive Trustees serve for a term of three years, being appointed at the Annual General Meeting; the CEO, Deputy CEO and the CFO are ex-officio Trustees.

The Trustees of the CIO in the year were: Keith Beckett (Chair of Trustees) Mark Carwardine (Chief Executive Officer) Judith Harvey Ian Morgan Shaun Egan (Deputy CEO) Richard Newhouse (CFO) Gareth Raymond from Nov 2024

The Executive Committee is responsible to the Trustees for the overall running of the association in relation to all financial, safety, legal and operational matters. Its members during the year were:

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||| |---|---| |Chief Executive Officer (CEO)|Mark Carwardine| |Deputy CEO|Shaun Egan| |Chief Financial Officer|Richard Newhouse| |General Executive Officer|David Hill| |Fundraising Officer|Joe Challinor from Dec 24| |Association Secretary|Ian Roberts to Mar 24, thence Sally Holloway| |Beachley Station General Manager|Mark Powell| |Newport Station General Manager|Richard Dainty| |Tewkesbury Station General Manager|Alan Martin| |Sharpness Station General Manager|David Palmer| |Upton Station General Manager|David Williams| |Wyre Forest Station General Manager|Ian Lofthouse| |Cotswolds Station General Manager|John Dutton to Oct 24, thence David Wright|

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Additional technical and specialist managers were co-opted at the Executive level being:

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||| |---|---| |Executive Land Search Manager|John Dutton| |Executive Rope Rescue Officer|Andy Torbet| |Executive Inland Water Officer|Matt Davies from Mar 24| |Medical Officer|Jon Dallimore| |Wellbeing Officer|Kathy Donaldson to Mar 24, thence Martin Holloway| |Communications Equipment Manager|Chris Thornton| |PR Officer|Richard Newhouse|

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The Committees for the Beachley, Newport, Tewkesbury, Sharpness, Upton, Cotswolds and Wyre Forest Rescue Stations are responsible for the day-to-day running of each respective Station.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

The Operations of the Charity

SARA’s Mission Statement is:

To protect life and property through the provision of a professionally trained, specialist rescue service for marine, flood and land search incidents

The principal area of marine operations comprises the Bristol Channel and the Severn, Wye, Avon, and Usk rivers. Typical situations involved vessels suffering breakdown or damage by grounding, becoming lost in severely restricted visibility - a particularly dangerous situation in the tidal Severn - and searching for missing people. As a Lifeboat Organisation, SARA complies with the Rescue Boat Code of Practice (RBCP) and is a founder member of the National Independent Lifeboat Association (NILA).

Inland operations extend to the West of England and the Midlands and South-East Wales. SARA is an Associate Member of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) and is part of the South West England Rescue Association (SWERA). SARA’s technical and flood rescue standards are assured by qualifications from Rescue3Europe, which comply with national standards

SARA works closely with the statutory emergency services – Police, Fire & Rescue and Ambulance Services, likewise HM Coastguard – also with neighbouring and related volunteer rescue organisations. These particularly include the RNLI at Portishead, Penarth and Barry, the Coastguard helicopter based at St Athan, Longtown Mountain Rescue Team and the South Wales Search and Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA(SW)), to name just a few. There is a strong mutual relationship with Gloucester Cave Rescue (GCRG) whose members often participate in land search operations as integrated search party members. Further details of SARA’s operational roles are provided in the Annex.

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Wyre Forest
(Kidderminster)
Worcestershire
Herefordshire Upton
Tewkesbury
S Gloucester
(Sub Station of Sharpness)
Gloucestershire
Gwent &
Monmouthshire Cotswolds
Sharpness (Cirencester)
Newport
Beachley
(Chepstow)
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The SARA Rescue Stations
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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Why SARA? A Short History!

The inaugural meeting to form the organisation which became SARA was held in 1973, and the charity was formally created in 1976, as ‘The Severn Auxiliary Rescue Association’. Its headquarters were at Tutshill - near the current Beachley station. At this time the RNLI did not cover river estuaries, such as the River Severn. There was felt to be a need for rescue organisation responsible for this hazardous stretch of river, particularly following the closure of the Aust Ferry after the opening of the Severn Bridge in 1966. In 1985 SARA also became an official Mountain Rescue Team in the role of Cliff Rescue for the Wye Valley, and SARA Beachley Station was designated as a ‘Mountain Rescue Post’.

In 1986 a second station was opened at Sharpness, primarily in response to a tragic loss of life in the Sharpness area and the name of the organisation was amended to what it is today. A station was opened at Wyre Forest in 2004, to cover the upper Severn area. In 2014 Wyre Forest Station moved into the Fire Station at Kidderminster, under a co-hosting arrangement, and in early 2021 moved again into the new Kidderminster Tri-Service ‘Emergency Hub’ Station.

In 2011, following major flooding, a Joint 'Water Rescue Centre' opened in Tewkesbury, as a strategic alliance between Gloucester Fire & Rescue Service, SARA and Gloucestershire County Council, and the new SARA Tewkesbury Station became SARA’s fourth.

For many years, emergencies in Newport were attended to by crew from SARA Beachley. In 2014 an equipment hub was placed in Newport, and in 2015 a base was established at Malpas Fire Station. Following a major bequest, new boats were purchased in 2016 and the Newport Lifeboat Station was established, within the Malpas Fire Station, becoming independent from Beachley in 2019.

The small independent ‘Water Emergency Incident Response’ (WEIR) team at Upton-upon-Severn elected in 2019 to merge with SARA, forming SARA Upton Station in 2020. SARA’s seventh station SARA Cotswolds, based at Cirencester Fire Station, was established in mid-2021 to provide a base for land search in eastern Gloucestershire.

A Missing Person Search Briefing in the Cotswolds

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Training in Flood Rescue, from a vehicle in the dark, at Cardiff White Water in October

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Chair of Trustees’ Report

I am delighted to report that SARA goes from strength to strength, having had a busy and successful 2024. There have been significantly more call-outs this year than last, and this level of support to our communities doesn't happen without the dedicated, professional and enthusiastic members that form the SARA family. I would like to pass on most sincere thanks from the Board of Trustees for the commitment of all our members, whether directly operational or in vital support roles; you are at the heart of our mission and are very much valued for the Service you provide.

The Board of Trustees has seen some personnel changes. Ben Nyland had joined us but, due to personal commitments also had to retire from the Board in 2024. We also recruited Gareth Raymond as a co-opted Trustee who brings significant financial expertise to the non-Executive Board membership; his candidature will be presented to the AGM in March 2025, where I very much hope he will be elected. Additionally, Richard Newhouse had announced that he wished to step back as SARA's CFO. We are lucky to have recruited Chris Burgess to replace Richard. Chris joins us with significant business and financial expertise and his full appointment will also be subject to election at the Mar 25 AGM.

We published the SARA Strategy in 2024. This document sets the direction for SARA over the next 5 years and will be used by the Board to guide and inform decision making.

In accordance with this Strategy, the Board has focussed on SARA's continued financial health, and ensuring that our funds are spent in direct support of our Charitable mission. Our strategy also states that we will ensure that we have the right standard of equipment and facilities to ensure our people are safe and well equipped to deal with the hazardous circumstances they face. So, it is really pleasing that our accounts report a near doubling of spend on the necessary equipment, facilities and repairs, whilst also retaining a healthy overall financial position. I'm also glad to say that our vision of operating very much as 'One SARA' has been guiding the way that this spend has been achieved. 'One SARA' recognises the unique needs of each station and discipline but, also very much recognises the benefits and efficiencies we get by being mutually supportive and coherent.

The Board's focus on safety led to a significant safety exercise being conducted in the Autumn of 2024 at Beachley. This was a great success, in particular because we learnt a lot of valuable lessons and I'm keen that we repeat the format again in 2025, perhaps focussed on a different discipline and station.

Additionally in 2024, the Board supported an expansion of SARA's services to include a dog section and drone capability. Both are in development and not yet 'declared' facilities but, when fully qualified, will add significant value to the SARA overall capability.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Finally, the Board has been supporting the Executive in examining the organisation and governance of SARA to seek an efficient and effective set of arrangements that will properly support SARA's planned scope and scale of activity in the future. These draft arrangements are being concluded and will be presented to the Mar 25 AGM for agreement as they will require some changes to the SARA Constitution.

SARA is a healthy and financially sound Charity that is absolutely focussed on delivering high quality lifesaving and rescue services to the Communities it serves; I look forward to continuing our success and improvements through 2025.

Keith Beckett Chair of Trustees

Presenting founding Chairman Jim Hewitt with his Certificate for 50 Years’ Service

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

SARA Lifeboat 2 escorts a motor cruiser which had reported an engine fire

Some recently qualified members of Beachley’s Land Search Team

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

CEO Report on 2024

2024 was book-ended by flood response. In February we were in action in Gloucester Tewkesbury, and we were delighted to be invited to meet HRH Duke of Gloucester in Tewkesbury when he came to look at the damage caused by the flooding. Storm FRED in November caused extensive flooding in the Monmouth area. At one point in the Sunday evening we had four flood teams in action at the same time, and then two of those teams were then sent to Yate in South Gloucestershire to assist with the response there.

SARA declares 6 flood rescue teams on the National Asset Register (NAR), more than any other organisation in the country. In December we hosted another of the three yearly Assurance Visits from the National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC), who administer the NAR, this time at SARA Sharpness. I am delighted to say that we received another very positive report.

Flood Response operations in Monmouthshire in November

Another highlight of the year was also at Sharpness. On a beautiful evening in July many members from across the organisation were awarded the King’s Coronation Medal, recognising 5 or more years of service at the time of King Charles’ Coronation in 2023, as shown on the front cover of this report. The medals were presented by our Chairman, and then a BBQ was enjoyed by all.

With 150 callouts last year, 2024 was our busiest since records began. There is rarely any particular pattern, unlike some teams in tourist hotspots, but one factor this year was the increasing number of callouts at Newport. The close relationship between our team in Newport and the local Fire Service is a factor here, and has led to at least one life being saved by our lifeboat. Similarly in Gloucester the team at SARA Sharpness work closely with Fire Service, and there was a successful rescue from the water in May.

Sadly in our area there are a lot of searches which we know will not lead to a rescue, often over several days or over a longer period. During 2024 there were several long-running lifeboat searches in the Severn, the last of which was brought to a conclusion in early 2025. Another in the River Ebbw near Newport had involved a number of stations taking the lead on different days, with multiple searches at different states of the river. The recovery came eventually, towards the end of another

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

long day of searching, with crews from both Beachley and Newport combining skills to overcome difficult access to the location.

As well as operations in our area, we have provided ‘mutual aide; support to Wiltshire Search & Rescue (‘WilSAR’) on multiple occasions, also to Oxfordshire SAR and Longtown Mountain Rescue Team. And they have supported our operations, both with people and with specialist equipment.

Sometimes a year goes by without any call for our technical rope rescue. This year we had two callouts in close succession on the Wintours Leap cliffs near Chepstow. One was for an injured climber, and sadly one involved a fatality. The many practice sessions we have run with the ‘Larkin Frame’, which helps to get a stretcher up and over the cliff edge, paid off. A little later there was a search involving a cliff above the River Severn above Gloucester, and the ropes came out again – that time the missing person was found safe somewhere else.

In 2023 we bought the base vehicle for a new Incident Command Unit (ICU), to be based in Gloucestershire. A small, dedicated team worked on that through the winter and early part for 2024, and delivered a stunning result for a fraction of the cost which some other teams have paid. The new ICU(South) was commissioned at a small ceremony at Beachley in September, attended by some key donors, and representatives of important organisations.

The new Incident Control Unit (South)

This year MREW Casualty Carers, our advanced first aiders, became known as ‘Remote Rescue Medical Technicians’ (RRMTs). A training course for new and re-qualifying RRMTs, jointly run with Avon & Somerset Search & Rescue, culminated in an exam weekend in June, and in a separate course some of our more experienced RRMTs were trained and qualified to formally verify death. This should reduce issues on callouts, particularly the unnecessary involvement of already busy ambulance crews. Later in the year we had the first training in the use of Penthox as a pain relief medicine, following its inclusion in the MREW Drugs Formulary; this will allow us to phase out the use of Entonox.

Participation in ‘multi-agency’ training, with other volunteer teams and with the emergency services, continued apace. There was a spectacular rope rescue training exercise at Portishead docks, using one of the large cranes, superbly organised by our friends at Prusik Rescue, and a multi-team land

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

training day in the Forest of Dean, organised by Glos Cave Rescue. In the autumn there was a flurry of flood rescue training exercises at Cardiff White Water Centre, one of which included a session in the evening with the lights off, to practice working in the dark. We hosted Gloucestershire Fire Service at a rope rescue event near Chepstow in the summer, and later they invited us to join in a terrorismresponse exercise at the Fire Service College.

One of our RRMTs dealing with several ‘exercise casualties’ on a multi-agency exercise

We have maintained our strategy of creating and using internal instructors where possible. With the help of a Government (UK SAR) grant we now have two more flood rescue boat operator instructors in addition to our SRT instructors, all with the Rescue3 scheme. At the time of writing we now have 18 such boat operators qualified. We also upskilled our rope rescue instructors, so that we now have four ‘Rope Rescue Technician Instructors’ and have run our first internal RRT course. On the land search side, 8 search party leaders did the MREW ‘Search Planning and Management (SPM1) course, further strengthening our search management capability, and two others attended the annual MREW Party Leader Course in North Wales.

The Search Dog Unit we set up in 2023, affiliated to NSARDA, continues to develop. Training has been intense, and during 2024 2 dogs passed the stock test (providing confidence that they will not chase sheep!) and have been formally accepted as ‘Trainee Search Dogs’).

I am delighted that the organisation has continued to deliver as much as it has. But it does involve a lot of hard work in the management teams to make it all happen, and really too much falls to too few people, and there are always some vacancies in our management structure. In order to try to increase our efficiency, we have spent quite some time in the latter part of the year considering the setup of our management arrangements. One of the simpler ideas has been to give the rescue stations greater flexibility in how they set up their management committees. Each station differs in its capabilities and in size, so one format definitely does not suit all.

At the SARA level, we realised that we have retained the same Executive Team arrangement that we had with just 2 stations focusing on lifeboat operations, despite now having 7 stations and a much more complex set of operations. After much debate we have now decided to establish a Senior

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Leadership Team with a greater range of SARA-level roles. I very much look forward to bedding in the new system during 2025.

I am eternally grateful to all of our team members, both operational and supporting members who are all volunteers, for making all of this possible. Also to those who also serve on the management teams at station and at the association level; very few of who joined SARA to get involved in these matters. And, as always, for the support of their families. Thank you all!

Mark Carwardine Chief Executive Officer

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Practising rescue operations in a frozen Upton Marina

A 4x4 Driver Training Course in the Mendips

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

A Rope Rescue Training Exercise using a crane at Avonmouth Docks

, And another on Fly Wall in the Wye Valley

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Fundraising

SARA raises funds for services through applications to charitable foundations and trusts, bids for appropriate statutory contracts, supported by individual and corporate donations, and community fundraising activities and support.

SARA is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, has a Fundraising Complaints Policy and Procedure and adheres to The Code of Fundraising Practice. Any Fundraising Complaints received by the charity are recorded and acted upon as set out in the procedure. There were no complaints received about fundraising, or any other matters, during 2024.

SARA has no paid fundraisers and does not pay for the services of any fundraising organisation or people.

Review of Risks

The Trustees and Executive Committee conduct an ongoing review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and processes and controls are in place to mitigate those risks.

The Association has Standard Operating Procedures which each member must follow. Whilst SARA is not bound by the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (as it is part of Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW) which is exempt from the above Act), the Trustees’ policy is that the Association should use this legislation as ‘good practice’ for SARA operations.

SARA carries insurance policies to cover health and safety risks, include some insurance cover provided through policies arranged by Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW). The Executive Committee continues to monitor Insurance policies to ensure they are adequate for SARA’s purposes.

SARA Lifeboat 3 ‘Swift and Bold’ rescuing ducks on the River Wye at Chepstow, following the annual Great SARA Duck race

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Ready for an Open Day at Kidderminster Fire Station

All set for a day of fundraising in the sun

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

‘ Cardboard Dave’ hosting a visit of local Brownies to SARA Upton

SARA Wyre Forest helping Santa to visit their area!

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Financial Review

2024 was another strong year for SARA financially, thanks in large part to our generous supporters and hardworking fundraisers. We are particularly grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Police and Crime Commissioners, a number of local charitable funds, and our local councils. Also noteworthy is that we have, finally, opened two investment accounts during the year (with CAF and CCLA). The result of that is the increased interest income this year, at £6.7k.

In December the Board confirmed that an appropriate target level of unrestricted reserves is £100k, roughly 6 months operating costs. We closed the year with just under £87k, though we are anticipating the proceeds from the disposal of several assets in the first half of 2025.

We are holding a large restricted fund which will pay for the new Beachley Launch Tractor (now on order), and the ‘shed’ to house it (still being designed). We added £60k to the Major Asset Fund, and this has just enabled us to order replacement engines for SARA Lifeboat 1 (now 10 years old), and two new 4x4 vehicles.

Spending this year included two other 4x4 vehicles, to replace older one at our Sharpness and Newport stations. We spent heavily on rescue PPE for our crew, including the £31k which was designated for that purpose at the end of 2023. Some of the other investments are described in the CEO’s report.

My thanks to everyone who has helped with the book-keeping, with passing through invoices promptly, with helping to keep costs down and submit spend requests ahead of time. These all make my role easier, and enable me to help ensure that funds are there when we need them, so we can continue to help other people when they need it the most.

I am stepping down as CFO, having done two years officially in the role and several before in contributing to running the finances. I am remaining in SARA as an operational member, and am delighted to be able to hand over to Chris Burgess with the finances in good shape.

Richard Newhouse Chief Financial Officer

The fleet of Land Search vehicles, on a callout in the summer

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SARA

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Severn Area Rescue Association (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Helen Tinsley FCCA Azets First Floor St David’s Court Union Street Wolverhampton WV1 3JE

Dated: 23 May 2025

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and
legacies
3
155,168
80,167
Charitable activities
4
85,082
13,667
Other trading
activities
5
620
-
Investments
6
6,757
-
Other income
7
1,303
-
Total income
248,930
93,834
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
10,460
2,258
Charitable activities
9
246,395
56,729
Total expenditure
256,855
58,987
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before
transfers
(7,925)
34,847
Gross transfers
between funds
131
(131)
Net (expenditure)/income
for the year/
Net movement in funds
(7,794)
34,716
Fund balances at 1 January
2024
487,764
47,368
Fund balances at 31
December 2024
479,970
82,084		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
235,335
177,931
65,770
98,749
80,804
7,832
620
1,279
-
6,757
1,812
-
1,303
21,393
-
342,764
283,219
73,602
12,718
13,153
-
303,124
227,788
26,912
315,842
240,941
26,912
26,922
42,278
46,690
-
40,461
(40,461)
26,922
82,739
6,229
535,132
405,025
41,139
562,054
487,764
47,368		 Total
2023
£
243,701
88,636
1,279
1,812
21,393
Donations and
legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading
activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
9
Total expenditure
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before
transfers
Gross transfers
between funds
Net (expenditure)/income
for the year/
Net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 January
2024
Fund balances at 31
December 2024
356,821
13,153
254,700
267,853
88,968
-
88,968
446,164
535,132

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
Current assets
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
16
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
17
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
18
General unrestricted funds		 2024
£
26,813
304,491
331,304
(5,751)
135,619
344,351		 £
236,501
325,553
562,054
82,084
479,970
562,054		 2023
£
40,374
259,600
299,974
(11,976)
123,621
364,143		 £
247,134
287,998
535,132
47,368
487,764
535,132

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on ......................... 23 March 2025

.............................. Mr R J Newhouse Trustee

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The Severn Area Rescue Association, also known as SARA is the largest independent multi-disciplinary volunteer search and rescue team in the UK. SARA is also the largest independent lifeboat service in the UK, second only to the RNLI.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SARA constitution, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The charity is a public benefit entity.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are set aside by the Trustees as a form of Unrestricted Fund, for the purpose of financing future purchases or replacement items.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless perfomance conditions require deferral of the amount. In this case income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covernant is recognised when the reclaimed tax is received.

Page 26

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Grant income is recognised when the chairty is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Income from trading activites includes income earned from trading activites to raise funds for the charity.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. Further detail is given in the Trustee's Annual Report.

Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes. Interest income is recognised as the charity's right to receive payment is established.

1.5 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions.

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, and other administrative costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expnditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of resources.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold land and buildings Plant and equipment

straight line over 25 years straight line over 4 & 5 years

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss.

Page 27

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

1.11 Investment policy

Current asset investments are short term highly liquid investments and are held at fair value. These include cash on deposit and cash equivalents with a maturity of less than one year.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Page 28

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.12 Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charity for UK tax purposes.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The only key accounting estimates included in the financial statements relate to the useful lives of the assets and the period over which they are depreciated. The trustees decide the useful life and determine the depreciation rates.

~~Page 29~~

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Donations and legacies
Donations and gifts
Legacies receivable
Grant Income
Sponsorships
Donated goods and services
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
90,667
33,400
24,500
10,000
29,247
36,267
2,190
500
8,564
-
155,168
80,167		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unr
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
84,252
39,815
124,067
28,102
5,000
33,102
27,913
37,601
65,514
2,190
500
2,690
8,564
-
8,564
151,021
82,916
233,937
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
124,067
60,391
20,325
80,716
34,500
82,135
-
82,135
65,514
31,913
45,445
77,358
2,690
1,092
-
1,092
8,564
2,400
-
2,400
235,335
177,931
65,770
243,701		 est
6
8
3
1

3 Donations and legacies

Page 30

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4 Charitable activities

Fundraising events
Service level agreement
Charitable rental income		 Charitable
activities
Charitable
activities
2024
2023
£
£
90,949
86,486
7,800
2,000
-
150
98,749
88,636
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 85,082
80,804
13,667
7,832
98,749
88,636
5
Other trading activities
Other trading income		 Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
620
1,279
6
Investments
Interest receivable		 Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
6,757
1,812

~~Page 31~~

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Other income

Net gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Other income		 Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
866
15,200
437
6,193
1,303
21,393

8 Raising funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Other fundraising costs
10,460
2,258
10,460
2,258		 Total Unrestricted
funds
2024
2023
£
£
12,718
13,153
12,718
13,153		 Total Unrestricted
funds
2024
2023
£
£
12,718
13,153
12,718
13,153
13,153

~~Page 32~~

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

9 Charitable activities

Depreciation and impairment
Fuel
Training
Insurance
Consumables
Repairs and maintenance
Equipment purchases
Communications
Regulatory compliance		 Charitable
activities
Charitable
activities
2024
2023
£
£
50,619
56,445
11,788
15,353
18,928
20,441
32,778
36,911
18,299
8,953
72,273
38,235
60,798
39,489
9,592
9,139
1,057
1,081
Share of support costs (see note 10)
Share of governance costs (see note 10)		 276,132
226,047
22,227
21,875
4,765
6,778
303,124
254,700
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 246,395
227,788
56,729
26,912
303,124
254,700

Page 33

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10 Support costs

Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Heat, light and water
11,229
-
Printing, postage and
stationery
244
-
Computer costs
3,329
-
Travel costs
619
-
Bank charges
2,211
-
Other support costs
3,375
-
Rent and rates
1,220
-
Accountancy fees
-
4,200
Legal and professional
-
565
22,227
4,765
Analysed between
Charitable activities
22,227
4,765		 2024
Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
£
11,229
12,970
-
244
308
-
3,329
2,031
-
619
219
-
2,211
2,566
-
3,375
2,380
-
1,220
1,401
-
4,200
-
6,668
565
-
110
26,992
21,875
6,778
26,992
21,875
6,778		 2023
£
12,970
308
2,031
219
2,566
2,380
1,401
6,668
110
28,653
28,653

Accountancy fees contain costs for the independent examination of £2,080 (2023: £1,950) and other accountancy services of £2,120 (2023: £4,718).

11 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration, benefits or expenses from the charity during the year.

12 Employees

There were no employees during the year.

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

~~Page 34~~

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

14
Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land
and buildings
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
397,751
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 December 2024
397,751
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
270,765
Depreciation charged in the year
12,681
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
At 31 December 2024
283,446
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
114,305
At 31 December 2023
126,985
15
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Plant and
equipment
£
1,203,444
40,560
(22,822)
1,221,182
1,083,295
37,938
(22,247)
1,098,986
122,196
120,149
2024
£
1,138
4,690
20,985
26,813
2024
£
1,369
4,382
5,751		 Total
£
1,601,195
40,560
(22,822)
1,618,933
1,354,060
50,619
(22,247)
1,382,432
236,501
247,134
2023
£
7,534
9,803
23,037
40,374
2023
£
5,622
6,354
11,976

Page 35

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

17 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Glos OPPC Grant (1)
Beachley Station CCTV & Vehicle Radio
Cotswold Station Start-up
Cotswold Station Crew Van
SARA Lifeboat 14 Engine Replacement
Sharpness Station Building Maintenance
SARA Lifeboat 6 Trailer Replacement
Other small restricted funds (2)
Incident Control Unit Fit-out
Beachley Launch Tractor & Shed
Cotswolds Station New 4x4 Vehicle
PPE
Persimmon Homes Grant (3)
Mental Health First Aid Training
Sharpness Station New Pressure Washers
Upton Station Vehicle Replacement
Tewkesbury Station Replacement 4x4
Estate of Annette Davey - SARA Sharpness
Search Dog Unit
Newport Station Replacement 4x4		 Movement in funds
Balance at
1 January 2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers
1
£
£
£
£
1,126
5,000
(4,233)
-
2,625
-
(2,423)
(202)
10,129
419
(434)
(4,590)
16,984
5,426
-
(20,669)
1,150
-
-
-
4,996
4,323
(689)
-
3,129
-
-
-
1,000
8,141
(9,141)
-
-
8,500
(754)
-
-
1,506
-
-
-
250
-
-
-
15,937
(7,916)
-
-
5,000
(282)
-
-
2,600
-
-
-
1,500
(1,040)
-
-
15,000
-
(15,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Movement in funds
Balance at
January 2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers
Balance at
31 December
2024
£
£
£
£
£
1,893
5,000
(6,650)
-
243
-
-
-
-
-
5,524
-
(4,377)
-
1,147
1,741
800
(1,838)
-
703
1,150
2,000
-
-
3,150
8,630
-
(6,276)
-
2,354
3,129
-
-
-
3,129
-
7,857
(5,502)
-
2,355
7,746
-
(7,746)
-
-
1,506
37,127
(3,911)
-
34,722
250
10,805
-
-
11,055
8,021
11,412
(2,576)
-
16,857
4,718
-
(2,862)
-
1,856
2,600
-
(920)
-
1,680
460
-
(388)
(72)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,680
-
-
1,680
-
5,000
(4,941)
(59)
-
-
1,153
-
-
1,153
-
11,000
(11,000)
-
-
41,139
73,602
(26,912)
(40,461)		 47,368
93,834
(58,987)
(131)
82,084

Page 36

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

17 Restricted funds

(Continued)

(1) Annual grant from Office of Police & Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, for equipment and training for land-based search and rescue.

(2) Restricted income amounts under £5,000, which were spent directly for the purposes given. In 2024 this included a £3,500 government grant for Flood Boat Operator instructor training, £2,500 specifically for equipment for Wyre Forest Station and funds a memorial bench at SARA Sharpness.

(3) Grant for technical rescue training and equipment.

Treatment of assets purchased using restricted funds - default position is to unrestrict the asset when purchased and transfer to unrestricted funds.

There have been transfers in the year of the small remaining balances in some of the restricted fund items back into unrestricted funds. These transfers total £131 and are not considered material for the accounts.

Page 37

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

18 Designated funds

The trustees recognise the importance of maintaining the set of boats and vehicles, and ensuring their replacements on a timely basis. To this end a Major Asset Fund has been established to aid in this endeavour.

Balance at
1 January 2023
£
Major Assets
Replacement
(1)
50,000
Tewkesbury
Station New
Van Fit-out
-
Upton Station
4x4 Fit-out
-
Purchase
commitments
H1 2024
-
PPE
-
Beachley
Launch
Tractor
-
Purchase
commitments
H1 2025 (2)
-
Incident
Control Unit
Fitout
-		 Movement
Transfers in
£
54,000
26,265
10,000
6,645
31,000
-
-
-		 in funds
Transfers out
Balance at
1 January 2024
£
£
(24,000)
80,000
(25,259)
1,006
(5,030)
4,970
-
6,645
-
31,000
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Movement
Transfers in
£
60,000
-
-
-
-
10,000
4,700
10,000		 in funds
Transfers out
£
(20,000)
(87)
(4,970)
(6,645)
(31,000)
-
-
(10,000)		 Balance at
31 December
2024
£
120,000
919
-
-
-
10,000
4,700
-
50,000 127,910 (54,289)
123,621		 84,700 (72,702) 135,619

(1) The Major Assets Fund was initiated at the end of 2021 with £50,000 to support this, to be supplemented with other funds specifically raised for these purposes. It is envisaged that the use and replacement of monies within the Major Assets Fund will be an ongoing activity.

(2) Purchases agreed in Q4 2024 but not executed by year-end, target completion by end of Q1 2025.

~~Page 38~~

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

19
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Fund balances at 31
December 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
236,501
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
243,469
82,084
479,970
82,084		 Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
236,501
247,134
-
325,553
240,630
47,368
562,054
487,764
47,368		 Total
2023
£
247,134
287,998
535,132

Cash at bank and in hand at the year end was £304,491, of which £82,084 was restricted, and £135,619 designated by the trustees for a particular purpose. This leaves an unrestricted cash balance of £86,788 at the year end date.

20 Related party transactions

Transactions with related parties

During the year the charity entered into no transactions with related parties.

21 Subsidiaries

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:

SARA Trading Limited - Registered in England (company number 11820156), incorporated 11 February 2019. The company has no share capital and is limited by guarantee. The charity has given a guarantee of £100, and is the relevant legal entity by virtue of the ability to appoint and remove trustees. The three officers of the company are also trustees of the charity. The company provides commercial training and organises events to raise funds for the charity. The company had net assets at 28 February 2024 of £305 (2023 : £13,831 ). The company made no donations to the charity during the year (2023: £18.500).

The charity is not required to prepare consolidated accounts.

22 Contingent liability

As referred to in note 21, in the unlikely event of the subsidiary company SARA Trading Limited being wound up, the charity have guaranteed a payment of £100.

Page 39

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Annex A: SARA’s Operational Role and Tasks

SARA is a multi-disciplinary volunteer search and rescue organisation and is the designated rescue service for an area of over 20,000 km[2 ] on and around the Severn. It provides:

SARA operates from seven rescue stations, at Newport, Chepstow (SARA Beachley), Sharpness, Tewkesbury, Upton-upon-Severn, Kidderminster (SARA Wyre Forest) and at Cirencester (SARA Cotswolds). SARA Crew receive ‘callouts’ through a combination of dedicated Pagers and through SMS messages using the SARCALL system.

Lifeboats and Mud Rescue

SARA is the designated rescue service for the Rivers Severn, Wye and Usk. The SARA lifeboats, based at Beachley, Sharpness and Newport are tasked by HM Coastguard, largely in response to 999 calls.

The River Severn below Gloucester is used for around 350 commercial ship transits per year and the lower Wye around 150. The Severn also has over 500 registered leisure craft transits between Gloucester and Sharpness alone each year, and many more that are not counted. The tidal range on the Severn at Beachley, and on the Wye at Chepstow, is 15 metres (the second highest in the World!), which means that the river changes within a few hours from a wide expanse of deep water, to narrow shallow channels weaving through extensive sandbanks.

In addition, the tidal current on the Severn reaches 12 knots; this can lead to very turbulent river conditions in even a moderate wind. Most of the way to Gloucester the riverbed is very broad, with a narrow and winding navigable channel, marked with numerous buoys, beacons and transits. The margins of all the tidal rivers have wide and thick mudbanks below the high-tide levels, and in places the exposed mud leads out to rocky islands at low tide.

Typical incidents for SARA include vessels grounding, or losing power hence requiring urgent assistance to avoid grounding. People have been rescued from islands or ledges where they were being cut off by the tide, or actually plucked from the mud. On other occasions boats, and other floating hardware, are broken loose by the water and drift with the fast currents and have to be recovered. On average lifeboats are launched operationally around once a week (50-60 launches per year).

*SARA's declared area of lifeboat operations, for which it is tasked by HM Coastguard, is the Severn, north from a line between Newport and Clevedon to Maisemore Weir near Gloucester, and the tributary rivers Wye (to Bigsweir Bridge), Usk (to the M4 Bridge) and the Avon (to Bristol Docks). If required in exceptional circumstances, SARA Lifeboats can extend beyond this area, using a re-fuelling stop at Newport, to operate north of a line from Barry to Weston Super Mare.

The SARA lifeboats area also features several high bridges – notably the M48 Severn Bridge but also the A48 in Chepstow and several in Newport. SARA is often called out to a ‘person at risk’ on a bridge. The majority, but sadly not all, are resolved directly by the Police. However, a lifeboat is always launched so as to be ready. Recoveries are therefore not uncommon, but SARA has successfully rescued people from the water below a bridge.

Page 40

Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Land Search

SARA provides land search capabilities in support of the Police. SARA has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in place with the Police Forces for Gloucestershire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, the West Midlands, Shropshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire. These Police Forces request SARA support for ‘Missing Person’ searches in their respective areas, and teams from the various SARA Stations work together as appropriate to the search area location.

Such missing person searches can range in duration from less than an hour to spanning several days and may become ‘recovery’ rather than rescue operations. SARA is able to deploy one of its two Mobile ‘Incident Control Units’ (ICUs) to support such searches and other operations; searches are managed from the ICU, which is the focus for liaison with the Police and other agencies. SARA’s MoUs with the Police are to assist with any search, in any terrain, for a vulnerable missing person – including urban searches if required.

SARA is also a member (Associate Member since Jan 2021) of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW). Generally, MR teams deploy into mountainous environments (or at least challenging ones); in the SARA area the more technical areas would include the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Wyre Forest or Cleeve Hill.

In addition, all neighbouring Search & Rescue and Mountain Rescue teams back each other up, providing mutual aide when required. SARA is frequently involved in operations involving the Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, West Mercia or Longtown teams, and less often Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Central Beacons.

Cliff Rescue

SARA Beachley is a specific base for the Cliff Rescue in the Lower Wye Valley, where the cliffs around Wintours Leap, Symonds Yat and other walls are a popular destination for climbers of all abilities. It is estimated that there are 3,000-4,000 climber-days per year in the Lower Wye Valley. There are also a number of disused quarries in the area, in which accidents involving non-climbers happen.

SARA has an MoU with Gloucester Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS) for effecting cliff rescue operations, and an increasingly close relationship with South Wales FRS (some of the cliffs are on the Welsh side of the Wye). The SARA rope rescue training is based on Rescue3 qualifications, also used by the Fire and Rescue services which facilitates interoperability. SARA has in-house Technician-level instructors.

There is a further close relationship with Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group (GCRG), which also has rope rescue trained personnel and relevant equipment, which are available as required. Conversely SARA is available to provide surface support to cave rescue operations, and indeed is integral to the contingency plans for caves such at ‘Otter Hole’ in the Wye Valley. Rope rescue operations are thankfully rare, but joint exercises are conducted with the FRS and GCRG.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Inland Water and Flood Rescue

Swift Water is defined as ‘that moving fast enough to produce sufficient force to present a life and safety hazard to a person entering it’. Operations in inland water’ are referred to as ‘Swiftwater Rescue’ or ‘SRT’ tasks and include life-saving rescue. However, due to the time-sensitive nature of water incidents these are often search and if necessary, recovery operations. Their initiation is often by a combination of Police, FRS or Coastguard. Dependent on the water concerned, a small boat may be deployed, or a floating platform, in addition to crew directly in shallow water. SARA has the ability to launch such small boats in almost all rivers, with no requirement for slipway or road access to the riverbank. Such small boats are referred to as ‘Rescue’ boats; SARA prefers rigid rescue boats to reduce the risk of punctures from the use of inflatables.

SARA Swift Water crew are qualified to the national standard, and we have in-house instructors for DEFRA Mod 3 (rescuers) and Mod 4 (boat operators) under the Rescue3 scheme. The Swift Water Teams are also able to deploy on flood rescue operations nationally, as Flood Response Teams. DEFRA, through the National DEFRA Flood Rescue group, coordinate the Flood Response Team deployments nationally. SARA has 2 x ‘Type B’ and 4 x ‘Type C’ declared teams of 7, shared between its 7 Stations, which need to be ready for deployment anywhere in the country. SARA has a proven track record of deploying around the UK on such incidents including Essex (2014), Devon (2014) and Yorkshire (2015/16).

First Aid and Casualty Care

All SARA crew are trained, at minimum, in basic first aid. A number of SARA crew are further qualified to the much higher level of ‘Casualty Care’ as defined by MREW. In addition, a number of crew are professional paramedics, nurses or serving as Community First Responders.

First aid equipment is carried during all searches and in all SARA vehicles; depending on the nature of the operation, equipment such as Oxygen, portable defibrillators, back- and neck-stabilization boards may be taken into the field.

Education and Training Provision

SARA provides training and education to the wider community through a variety of routes. These include:

  1. Emergency Services Training. For the Emergency Services, SARA provides lifeboat training. For example, SARA Beachley has an ongoing relationship with the South West Ambulance Services Trust to provide structured, water-based rescue training for members of their Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART). This provides specialist knowledge, training and experience of working with boats, including in the tidal waters of the Severn Estuary.

  2. School Visits. The SARA stations frequently host visits from and undertakes visits to local primary schools, Scouts and Guides Units, etc. These are designed to be educational as well as fun, informing young people of the dangers of the water and other aspects of the local area of which they may be unaware.

  3. Outreach Activities. SARA frequently particulates in relevant ‘community outreach’ activities such as the Drowning Awareness Weeks, again providing education about the avoidance of risks as well as information concerning SARA and other emergency Services.

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Event Safety Cover

Most years SARA also provides safety and first aid cover to local outdoor-based events, generally sports related. These are usually events which involve water, and/or off-road running, such as rowing regattas, raft races, triathlons and off-road running races. SARA undertakes this role for several reasons:

  1. To support the local community. SARA has historically provided this service at a discount to the notional cost, in order to facilitate and support these local events to a greater extent than alternative organisations would be able to. The number of such races and events supported continues to rise, as local organisations realise the capabilities which SARA can bring to their events.

  2. To raise SARA’s profile. SARA is usually paid for providing the service, albeit at hugely discounted rates for community groups to enable these to be viable, but for many members of the public spectating, this is an excellent opportunity to see SARA in action.

  3. To put SARA’s skills into play 'in the field' and provide real-world experience.

Providing safety Cover for a Rowing Regatta, one of many which SARA covers each year

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Annex B: Summary of SARA Capabilities

Inland Missing Person Search

Water operations

Mud Rescue

Cliff and Steep Ground (Gloucestershire-Based)

Advanced First Aid

Command and control

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Severn Area Rescue Association: Annual Report and Accounts 2024

In Memory

Hugh Inwood, who passed away in January 2024

The Memorial Bench, at SARA Sharpness

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