WE put the distress call out and boy did we get a response.

Pupils at Pembroke Primary School, in Chepstow, threw themselves into our appeal to raise funds for a new lifeboat for the Severn Area Rescue Association, raising £350 towards our £17,500 appeal target.

They did it with their own mini enterprise project – designing, making, marketing and selling their own products.

The cash will be added to the growing pot of money, which will go towards replacing the essential lifeboat based at the SARA’s Beachley station.

And the National Diving Centre at Tidenham is now joining the campaign. It plans to hold a sponsored abseil at its quarry – more details on that to follow.

On Friday Children from all years at Pembroke primary designed and produced sale items including eco-friendly shopping bags, biscuits and fudge, mobile phone socks, stress dolls and dogwood woven ornaments.

Headteacher Garry Keeble said: “The hall was absolutely packed. They children do a mini enterprise project every year and each class donates to its own chosen charity.

“But this year the children wanted to donate all the money to the SARA 3 appeal.”

SARA has received more than £150 in donations with money also coming into our office in St Mary Street to add to the £185 collected by the Free Press at Monmouth Country Fair.

But it is essential readers, schools, clubs and local businesses continue to jump on board.

SARA is completely dependent on donations and is run exclusively by volunteers, who provide a life-saving service on the rivers Severn, Wye and Usk as well as on land.

The existing SARA 3 lifeboat has come to the end of its lifespan and urgently needs replacing.

You can send your donations, made payable by cheque or postal order to Mervyn Flemming, SARA lifeboat and rescue station, Beachley, NP16 7HH.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Severn Area Rescue Association. ‘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 online by visiting www.sara- rescue.org.uk.

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