拢5 million boost for water rescue charities
Charities across the country will get funding for state of the art rescue equipment from a new 拢5 million fund.
Charities across the country who will get funding for state of the art rescue equipment from a new 拢5 million fund were announced today (29 January 2015) by Shipping Minister John Hayes.
The minister announced the first 20 projects who will receive funding from the inshore and inland lifeboat scheme during a visit to the Royal Life Saving Society in Poole, Dorset, where he met rescue volunteers and saw for himself safety equipment already used for emergencies.
The scheme will provide up to 拢1 million per annum, this year and over the next 4 years, for projects that provide equipment for lifesaving charities. Shipping Minister John Hayes said:
As an island nation the safety of our waters is paramount and our water rescue charities work tirelessly around the clock to save lives and protect the public from harm. Therefore I am pleased to announce the winners of this new fund that will support our hard working volunteers in this vital task.
This government is committed to supporting Britain鈥檚 transport sector in keeping people safe and this scheme demonstrates that commitment.
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
I鈥檓 delighted that the government has been able to donate 拢5 million to support the tremendous charities and brave volunteers who keep our waterways safe.
From the highlands to the south coast, 20 charities across the UK will now receive government funding to make sure they have the best equipment necessary to provide emergency support. This is part of the government鈥檚 commitment to supporting volunteers in our drive to create a fairer society.
This funding will help great charities, including Nith Inshore Rescue and East Sutherland Rescue Association in Scotland, save lives, particularly when faced with extreme weather such as we鈥檙e seeing at the moment.
Brian Pemberton, chairman of the Royal Life Saving Society, said:
The Royal Life Saving Society is delighted to be receiving this money to help save lives.
The grant will be used to purchase safety equipment for the use of our rescue boat crews when undertaking all-weather training and operational work. The grant will enable the Royal Life Saving Society to keep our rescue boats operational longer and ensure a greater degree of safety.
The scheme was announced as part of the 2014 budget statement and the grants for 2014/15 will be awarded before the end of March 2015. A second round of the grant scheme will begin in summer this year.
There are details of the winning grants, including an .
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