THE SARA 3 lifeboat was in high demand this week as it was called out three times within 24 hours – and a mystery donation of £2,000 has given the team and our campaign a huge boost.

The busy session for the team just shows how crucial the service is and why we must meet our target of £17,500 to replace the 15-year-old SARA 3 boat.

And thanks our mystery donor, who we’re told was inspired by our campaign, we have now raised a total of nearly £3,400.

Station secretary and crew member Elspeth Hardie opened a letter from our mystery donor’s solicitor and was shocked to find a £2,000 cheque for the appeal.

She said: “I was absolutely thrilled to bits, it’s a really good boost to the total and it really encourages all the crew.”

SARA’s busy 24 hours started on June 2 when the team rescued a cow stranded on the dangerous mud banks in the Goldcliff area of the Severn Estuary.

The SARA3 lifeboat crew were still on the water when they received a call from South Wales Police to attend an incident on the River Usk in Newport.

The next day, less than 24 hours since the last call, the lifeboat was called out again at the request of police to a further incident in Newport.

Station chairman of SARA Beachley, Merv Fleming said: “Responding to three call-outs in a 24-hour period was very demanding on the SARA crew who are all volunteers, thanks to their training, dedication and professionalism all of the responses were executed well.

“The last couple of days has once again highlighted the need for a SARA3 inflatable lifeboat on our local waters with, perhaps a dedicated SARA lifeboat and rescue station near Newport.”

Thankfully our appeal is winning support from readers.

l ANYONE wishing to make a donation can do so by cheque or postal order, send them 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 following 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.