GRANTS worth thousands of pounds have been awarded to organisations across the region to equip them for water rescues.

The Government’s Maritime Minister, John Hayes, has announced grants for charities running local lifeboat and rescue services around inland waterways, including during flooding.

The funding includes £16,600 for York Rescue Boat, £21,500 for Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, £13,700 worth of funding for Runswick Bay Rescue Boat and £8,400 for Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team.

The money can be used to buy new lifeboats and other equipment such as lifejackets and safety gear. A total of £913,000 has been divided amongst 66 water rescue charities in the UK.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team, based in Great Ayton, will use the funding to equip an additional ten of its volunteers, enabling them to train as Swift Water Technicians (SWTs). The team currently has eight members already trained in the skill. SWTs are trained operate in flooded areas and fast flowing rivers to search for and rescue people trapped by water.

The equipment needed by each SWT costs about £1,000 and includes a dry suit, lifejacket, water boots, helmet, headtorch, throw line and warm under-suits.

The volunteer rescue group covers 1,000 square kilometres, in an area stretching from Hartlepool to Helmsley in North Yorkshire, including the northern area of the North York Moors. They also helped evacuate people from the Boxing Day floods in York, including rescuing100 people from a hotel.

Cleveland team spokesman, Pete Mounsey said: “If we’re looking for missing people we will have people searching alongside the river and also searching the riverbeds who are qualified to go into the water.”

The team is still fund-raising to train its volunteers in water rescues once equipped. To donate, visit the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team’s Facebook page, or visit the website; clevelandmrt.org.uk

Maritime Minister John Hayes, said: “Every day countless volunteers in water rescue charities across our island nation carry out vital work during emergencies, not only around our coasts but also keeping our rivers, lakes and inshore waters safe. It is imperative we value and support their tireless efforts.”