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Burnham
Hovercraft Home Page > Burnham Hovercraft
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Published:
February 12, 2007
Avon
fire service gives Burnham hovercraft group big equipment boost
Delighted
crewmembers at BARB, the charity behind Burnham-on-Sea's rescue
hovercraft, are this week celebrating after a major donation of
equipment from Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
 The
fire service has given a 4x4 pick-up truck and other kit including
a power generator, air compressor, various lighting equipment
and torches, plus high-visibility jackets and traffic cones –
all of which it no longer uses.
With
BARB preparing for another busy tourist season, the newly-acquired
equipment - which is worth around £7,000 - will quickly
be brought into use alongside its two hovercraft and existing
tow truck.
Avon
Fire & Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive,
Kevin Pearson, (pictured above with BARB Chairman Alan Miller)
said: "I am delighted to be handing over this equipment to
BARB. I am sure the team will put it to good use, as they continue
to provide a vital life-saving service to the people living around
and visiting the North Somerset coastline."
"Avon
Fire & Rescue Service is hoping to acquire its own hovercraft
and we look forward to working with the BARB team in the future
to benefit from their knowledge and experience."
 The
proposed new Avon Fire & Rescue Service hovercraft will operate
in the Bristol and Bath area of the region.
Mr
Miller thanked the group, saying: "We are hugely grateful
to the fire service for this very generous donation. The equipment
will be put to immediate use to be used by the crews of our two
hovercrafts and inshore rescue boat. It is brilliant for rescue
organisations to work together like this to help make our community
a safer place."
BARB's
flagship hovercraft, The Spirit Of Lelaina, has helped and rescued
more than 95 people during its three years of operation. It is
named after five year-old Lelaina Hall, who tragically lost her
life in mud at Berrow in 2002.
The
Western Daily Press launched a huge fundraising campaign
after the tragedy when its readers donated £115,000 to buy
the fully-equipped craft. BARB also launched a second, smaller
hovercraft last summer, which is named The Light Of Elizabeth
after Lelaina’s sister.
RELATED
LINKS:
BARB Web site
Avon
Fire & Rescue Web site [External link]
BBC
Online coverage of this story [External link]
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