A GWENT water rescue charity has been awarded more than £35,000 by maritime minister John Hayes.

The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) was awarded the money yesterday, as part of the 2014 budget statement, and is one of nine charities being given donations in Wales.

This is the third round of funding provided under a 5 year, £5 million scheme, and the fund was split for water rescue charities around the UK.

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.

Around £140,000 is being awarded to nine charities across Wales.

The money for SARA will go towards funds for the Sharpness station in Gloucestershire which was the second station to be opened by the water rescue charity.

Speaking about the funding from the maritime minister, Geoff Daw, lifeboat operations manager at Sharpness Station, said: “Sharpness life boats operate in the part of the Severn that suffers with various states of the tide.

“I put in the application for the funding and I am glad we are recognised for the service we provide. It’s fantastic.”

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 on the basis of how the equipment or training will be used to support lifesaving, whether the funding will deliver wider community benefits and how the equipment and skills will bring sustainable benefits

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, said: “This announcement is great news, not only for the lifesaving organisations, but also the local communities living along coastlines, rivers, lakes and waterways they provide a service to.

"This funding will allow the Welsh organisations, traditionally run by volunteers, to continue the excellent service they provide by covering the cost of training and the purchasing of new equipment such as lifeboats and relevant safety equipment.”

To donate to SARA, visit justgiving.com/sara-rescue