Norfolk rescue charity can buy a second boat

Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue have bought a boat with a £5,000 grant from the EDP Norfolk and Lowestoft Flood Appeal.The team out on New Year's Eve by the River Wensum. Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Paul Chamberlain, Grieg Roye, Jim Whiteside and Michelle Richardson (Image: Archant)

Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue (Norlsar) has been given £39,372 from a Department for Transport (DfT) fund which supports rescue boat charities, a slice of almost £1m donated to 51 water rescue services around the country.

The cash will be spent on a £25,000 Pioneer Multi III boat, which will be based at Wroxham and will support Norlsar's work searching for missing people and dealing with floods.

Paul Webber, charity chairman, said: 'We are delighted the DfT recognised the value and merit in our bid and awarded us this grant. To achieve this has been a team effort and reflects the hard work and commitment put in by so many of our volunteers.'

Norlsar, which works closely with both the police and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, will put the remaining funds towards a new support vehicle to tow the boat, which will be crewed by volunteer team members trained to a national standard.

Roy Harold, Norfolk's chief fire officer, said: 'We have developed excellent collaborative links with Norlsar, which are directly benefiting public safety in Norfolk.

'I am pleased that this funding bid has been successful, as it will allow a further substantial improvement in our joint capability, and dovetails perfectly with the relocation of Norlsar assets to our new shared facilities at Wroxham fire station.'

It is hoped that the boat and vehicle will be ready for the start of the summer season on the Broads.

Norlsar is made up of 40 volunteers across the county.

For information about the charity or to get involved, visit www.norlsar.org.uk/

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