WE put the distress call out to help us raise cash for a new SARA 3 lifeboat and so far we’ve an amazing response from schools and the local community.

And that’s why we paid a visit to Pembroke Primary School in Chepstow to say a big thank-you for their efforts.

Last month pupils raised £350 towards our £17,500 target. They did it with their own mini enterprise project – designing, making, marketing and selling their own products. So far around £3,500 has been raised – including as we reported last week, £2,000 from a mystery donor.Free Press reporter Jessica Gibb and SARA volunteer Dave Thompson handed out our specially designed and individually named certificates to each of the 254 pupils who took part in the project. Headteacher Garry Keeble said: “The children wanted to do something for the SARA appeal and this has been a magnificent effort by them all.”

Dave Thompson praised the pupils’ “fantastic”efforts .

l SARA is run exclusively by volunteers and is completely dependent on donations to keep it running – it needs £30,000 a year just to maintain its services.

That’s why we launched our campaign to raise the £17,500 needed for a new lifeboat at the Beachley Station.

Several people, including a team from the Free Press and Chepstow councillors, will be taking part in a sponsored abseil to raise money for our SARA 3 appeal. The abseil is being organised by the National Diving and Activity Centre near Chepstow and will take place at 10am on Sunday, September 5.

Entry forms with a £70 deposit to secure your place should be returned to the diving centre by Friday, August 13. Entry forms, sponsorship forms and information sheets are available at ndac.co.uk

HOW TO DONATE

Anyone wishing to make an individual donation can do so by cheque or postal order made payable to Mervyn Flemming, SARA lifeboat and rescue station, Beachley, NP16 7HH.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Severn Area Rescue Association and ‘SARA 3’ should be written on the back. Please also include your full name and address so SARA can claim Gift Aid.

You can also donate by visiting sara-rescue.org.uk and follow the donation link.

Raising the money for a new lifeboat also depends on business, schools and organisations. So if you’re holding a fundraising event, we want to hear from you so we can cover it.