Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has put his support behind new river safety charity, Tees River Rescue – and is working with them to get volunteers and assistance.
Recently set up by people working in the emergency services, Tees River Rescue aims to provide river patrols and response search and rescue support. James Ruddock, one of the founders, worked on preventative patrols on the Tees for the past year, in conjunction with the Environment Agency and saw the huge benefit that these can bring. Unfortunately, due to the EA’s finances, these patrols are only able to happen bimonthly at best and can’t respond to calls to action. James and his partners recognised that to be effective there needs to be a dedicated vessel on the river.
This type of charity is already in place at York – York River Rescue – and has generated positive results. To carry out its work the charity needs volunteers, and even a boat.
Alex, who met with James Ruddock, said
I was pleased to meet with James from Tees River Rescue and discuss his plans to keep people safe around the River Tees.
More than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year – one every ten hours – and the River Tees is no stranger to tragedy. Tees River Rescue will fill a much needed gap, and support the emergency services in their work.
To do that though, the charity needs support – in volunteers and other materials – to get Tees River Rescue going.
For more information on how you can help Tees River Rescue please go to teesriverrescue.org.uk.
