Lifeguards Launch Fundraising Appeal Following Theft of £8500 Quad Bike

Rest Bay Lifeguard Club has launched a fundraising appeal to replace the quad bike which was stolen from their lifeguard station at the end of October 2012. The quad bike was an essential part of operations on the beach and was used as both a response vehicle to reach casualties on the beach quickly as well as being used to launch surf rescue powercraft to rescue and assist beach goers who had got into difficulties in the strong currents at Rest Bay. The club has around 200 members from 7 upwards and the quad was used to support training operations. Without the ability to tow and launch the safety boat to cover training sessions these sessions could be put in jeopardy.

Club Captain Chris Page said, ‘We have been left devastated by how thieves could steal a rescue vehicle. To make matters worse our insurers would not cover this vehicle for theft. As a result we now need to raise a substantial amount of money before summer 2013 starts. Without the ability to reach casualties on the beach or launch rescue powercraft quickly I have no doubt that lives at Rest Bay will be at risk. In 2012 lifeguards at Rest Bay performed 93 first aids, found 26 missing children, rescued 6 people and assisted a further 17 from the water. The quad was used in a large percentage of these incidents. We are very greatful to members of the community who have already donated to the appeal but still need your support as we have a substantial amount to raise. If you’re involved with an organisation or company who may be able to help out please get in touch. You can contact us via our facebook or twitter pages or by email: info@restbaylifeguards.org.uk

If you wish to donate to the appeal please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Rest Bay.

Thieves target lifesaving charity

Lifeguards who have rescued 6 people and assisted 17 persons in difficulties from the sea at Rest Bay during the summer season have been targeted by callous thieves.

The thieves broke into the lifeguard station at Rest Bay in Porthcawl at 7.13pm on Tuesday 30^th October using significant force to gain entry through a shutter door and smashed outside lights to hide their activity. Undeterred by the lifeguard station alarm system they stole the charity’s ATV quad bike. The vehicle is a red Honda TRX 500 FE Quad Bike (pictured) registration CU09 AWJ worth over £8000. Club Captain Chris Page said, ‘the thieves must have man handled the ATV to remove it from the building as they didn’t have access to the keys. This incident has had a huge impact on our operations and could potentially endanger lives on Rest Bay. Although we don’t officially patrol the beach during the winter months we do provide water safety event cover for a number of surfing competitions. The next surfing event being in just a few weeks time. Without a vehicle this has put our ability to provide safety cover for this event in jeopardy. The ATV is used to launch our surf rescue boat and also as a patrol and response vehicle for incidents that occur on the beach.

During the summer lifeguards at Rest Bay dealt with 93 first aid incidents. In many of these the ATV was used to respond to incidents across the whole of Rest Bay. One example was when lifeguards received reports of an elderly gentleman who had collapsed on the board walk. Our lifeguards responded quickly using the ATV and provided initial casualty care. The man was later flown to hospital by air ambulance. If the quad bike is not recovered we are faced with needing to raise significant funds to ensure we can still provide a first class lifeguard service to the users of Rest Bay. It will also mean that our junior members cannot train as we will be unable to launch the safety boat for training sessions.’

Club Chairman and local PC Chris Bluck said, ‘it is extremely disappointing that thieves would target equipment used to patrol the beach and save lives. The lifeguard club is a charity run and funded through grants and voluntary donations. It costs the club thousands of pounds each year to run, maintain and insure our rescue equipment and to be targeted by thieves in this way is heart breaking. From a policing point of view I would ask anyone to report anything suspicious they may have noticed in the Rest Bay area on Tuesday 30^th October. If you noticed people in the area, a van or maybe a vehicle with a trailer parked on the double yellow lines at the rear of the lifeguard station around 7.13pm please pass the information to South Wales Police on 101.

Rest Bay lifeguard club plans to launch an appeal to raise funds to replace the stolen rescue quad bike. If you are interested in making a donation you can contact the club by email: info@restbaylifeguards.org.uk or www.facebook.com/restbay or www.twitter.com/rest_bay_lg