SEVERN AREA RESCUE ASSOCIATION
Lifeboat and inland search and rescue, including flood and cliff rescue and missing person search, on the Severn, Wye, Usk and other rivers, and across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and parts of SE Wales, Herefordshire and beyond. Activities were conducted by SARA as Charity 505504 prior to 1 Jan 2022
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the financial year in a robust financial position with net assets of £655,000 and free unrestricted cash reserves of approximately £101,000. This cash level is within the trustees' stated policy target of five to six months of operational running costs. The charity is financed by voluntary contributions and grants, with no paid fundraisers employed.
What the accounts disclose
“Grants, donations and legacies provide a vital income stream, alongside local fundraising activities, and are key elements in covering the Charity’s running costs and supporting its investment plans.” — page 21
“SARA has no paid fundraisers and does not pay for the services of any fundraising organisation or people.” — page 18
“The Trustees' policy is to maintain unrestricted cash reserves equivalent to approximately five to six months of actual operational running costs excluding depreciation (circa. £100,000 to £125,000)” — page 18
Trustees
- Christopher John Burgess
- David Hill
- Gareth Raymond
- Judith Mary Harvey
- Keith Andrew Beckett CBE
- Mark George Carwardine
- Shaun Robinson Egan
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £404k | £311k |
| 31/12/2024 | £343k | £316k |
| 31/12/2023 | £357k | £268k |
| 31/12/2022 | £274k | £268k |
| 31/12/2021 | £274k | £268k |
Common questions
Is SEVERN AREA RESCUE ASSOCIATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the financial year in a robust financial position with net assets of £655,000 and free unrestricted cash reserves of approximately £101,000. This cash level is within the trustees' stated policy target of five to six months of operational running costs. The charity is financed by voluntary contributions and grants, with no paid fundraisers employed. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/11/2022 | £10k | SARA Cotswolds -emergency rescue vehicle |