TODAY we are launching a fund-raising appeal for the life-saving rescue team the Severn Area Rescue Association Last year alone, the team attended 99 call-outs, ranging from vessels suffering engine failure to overturned craft and those caught out by the tide, from Cardiff to Gloucester.

It’s an invaluable service paid for entirely from contributions and run exclusively by dedicated volunteers.

As reported in last week’s Free Press, the Beachley lifeboat and rescue station near Chepstow is hoping to replace one of its craft – SARA 3 – which has come to the end of its life-span.

A total of £25,000 is needed to pay for a new craft, and the association has already raised £7,500.

But as chairman of the Beachley life boat station, Mervyn Flemming explained, it takes £30,000 just to keep the station running each year.

“And that’s not including any additional equipment, it’s just running costs,” he said.

That’s why today, the Free Press is launching our SARA 3 campaign to raise the remaining £17,500 needed to replace this vital boat.

We know our readers can help us reach this total.

You can make a direct contribution or organise your own fundraising event – and whatever you decide to do, we want to hear from you.

“We are grateful for any donation, however much it is,” said Mr Flemming.

“We understand times are tough financially, but we are totally dependant upon peoples’ generosity so that we can keep providing this crucial service.”

We’ll keep you updated with a running total of the SARA 3 appeal – all we are asking is that you please help in any way you can.

l You can send your donations, may payable by cheque or postal order, direct to Mervyn Flem-ming, chairman of the SARA lifeboat and rescue station, Beachley, NP16 7HH.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Severn Area Rescue Association, and you should write SARA 3 appeal on the back.

l You can also donate on line by visiting sara-res cue.org.uk and following the donate link.

l Remember – if you’re organising a fundraising event, we want to hear from you so we can cover it.