02 September 2008 15:58 Central Networks helps Severn Area Rescue Association go off-road with new 4x4 vehicle
Volunteers from the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) rescue team are the proud owners of a new four-wheel-drive vehicle thanks to a special donation from Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England.
The Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, in full SARA livery and complete with blue lights, has been handed over to the rescue volunteers in recognition of the work they did in the floods that hit the west of England last summer.
Central Networks' Stakeholder Relationships Manager Carl Henshaw joined members of the company's Gloucester delivery centre team at the SARA lifeboat at Sharpness to present SARA volunteers with the vehicle, which will be used as part of the organisation's land search and rescue fleet.
Carl said: "We're delighted to have presented this vehicle to SARA, which will help to get their rescue personnel to difficult, remote areas and further aid the superb service they provide to the public and our customers.
"Our engineers always try to go the extra mile for our customers and this is our way of rewarding the commitment shown by SARA's volunteers and the vital work they do.
"The heavy flooding that affected Gloucestershire last summer provoked a remarkable response from organisations and individuals across the region.
"It was a great team effort to get through those difficult times and it illustrated just how much can be accomplished when organisations such as SARA and Central Networks come together under extreme circumstances to support the community."
Founded in 1973 and staffed entirely by volunteers, SARA is an inshore rescue boat and land search organisation covering the Severn Estuary and upper reaches of the River Severn. It is the largest independent lifeboat service in the UK, second only to the RNLI, with eight operational boats and approximately 150 personnel.
SARA volunteer Stu Priday said: "It's great that a company like Central Networks has come up with the goods and provided us with a vehicle that is going to be an invaluable asset.
"It will update our ageing fleet of rescue vehicles which saw extensive and punishing use working alongside Central Networks during the floods. This new vehicle puts us in a far stronger position to aid more people should we face a similar incident in the future.
The vehicle was a joint donation by Central Networks and its' fleet vehicle supplier Lloyds TSB Autolease. The SARA colours and logos were also provided free of charge by MediaFleet.
Grahame Neagus, head of the Specialist Commercial Vehicle Unit (SCVU) at Lloyds TSB Autolease, said: "Lloyds TSB Autolease has been providing the E.ON fleet with its car and commercial vehicle requirements for over four years now, including specialist vehicles like this Ford Ranger.
"The support in sourcing this particular vehicle for SARA is an extension of how we work together with E.ON UK.
"Being able to assist in the provision of this vehicle allows us to capitalise on our expertise in ensuring that we have provided a proven vehicle for this excellent charity, and one which will add real value in the important work they undertake."
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
- Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
For further information contact:
Andrew Barrow on 024 7618 3677
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