SARA rescue boat charity ball is off (From South Wales Argus)

SARA rescue boat charity ball is off

4:20pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Gwent news

THE Severn Area Rescue Association was forced to cancel one of its major annual fundraising events because of a lack of support.

Chairman at the Beachley lifeboat station Mervyn Fleming said 67 people bought tickets for the Las Vegas black tie fundraising ball last Friday but it required a minimum of 90 to take place.

This meant the organisers had to cancel the St Pierre Golf and Country Club event, which usually raises between £1,000 and £3,000 for the charity.

Each year, it needs to collect around £25,000 to pay for operational costs and Mr Fleming said it was a shame this year’s ball could not happen.

He said: “Of course we are disappointed. We called it off ten to 15 days ago when we realised we could never get 90 people to attend. We hope to try again next year.”

The charity is passing through its 39th year of operation.

Its next big fundraiser is likely to be a zip wire event in the spring, Mr Fleming added.