A BURNHAM-on-Sea rescue charity has received a £22,000 funding boost from the Department for Transport (DfT).

BARB Search and Rescue, which is based on Burnham’s Esplanade, has received a £22,981 grant from the DfT which will help to fund new rescue equipment.

The money will be used to buy new head-to-toe rescue kits for the charity’s crew members including radios, head torches, dry suits, a new fuel tank, a new outboard engine, a technical rope kit and a new boat trailer.

The charity was one of 50 rescue groups chosen to receive a share of £1 million of funding by the DfT which was announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday (February 20).

A spokesperson for BARB said the charity is ‘delighted’ to have received the funding as it will help them to better respond to flood incidents.

“This funding will help us immensely and we are delighted to receive this grant support from the Department for Transport.” the spokesperson said.

“The money will help us buy new water rescue equipment and improve our ability to deploy to incidents.

“As a charity which relies solely on donations, this grant is a huge help.”

Other volunteer rescue teams including including Exmoor Search and Rescue, Freshwater Independent Lifeboat on the Isle of Wight, and Maryport Inshore Rescue in Cumbria also received funding.

To date the fund has awarded almost £6 million to volunteer rescue organisations to help them save lives on UK waterways.

When announcing the funding on Thursday, Mr Shapps said: “Our rescue boat teams carry out vital work to keep our rivers, lakes and inshore areas safe.

“These inspirational charities and their dedicated volunteers save lives every day, and this additional funding will ensure that they have the craft, equipment, and resources to provide these services year-round.”