THE York Rescue Boat charity is closer than ever to launching, as organisers have passed two more milestones.

Dave Benson set up the charity over a year ago, and announced this week the organisation has bought a boat, and made arrangements for somewhere to store it.

He said the pre-owned Humber Assault 5.2m rib, which is currently at a boatyard in Essex, means the charity still has some money left in its coffers to pay towards operational costs, but training can start once it reaches York and its new base in Acaster Marine.

Dave said: “We’re picking it up on Saturday, hopefully. We’ve still got a couple of things to do to the boat – electronics and things, and getting it set up, but for now, it’s going to be used for training, getting used to the river, and getting volunteers used to how it handles.

“It hasn’t broken the bank in any way, so it means we’ve got some money left to keep it going for a while along with ongoing fundraising. We’ve got somewhere to store it, so hopefully in the next few weeks we will be out training in it. We won’t be operational, we won’t have all the lifesaving kit at that point, but we will be out and about in it pretty soon.”

Last year, five people died in York’s rivers, including three young people who died following nights out in the city.

Dave said he felt this latest step showed the public support for the charity had been worthwhile, and although it would still be some weeks or months before the charity was fully operational, he hoped it would encourage even more people to volunteer with or support the York Rescue Boat.

He said: “It feels really good, like everything’s coming into place after a lot of work from our volunteers. It’s the key piece in what we are, a rescue boat organisation, and we have a boat which is out identity. The next step is getting it out on the river and training.

“I’m quite excited but a bit apprehensive, because there are a few people who are quite cynical about it, but it’s a good, positive thing and I think it will help raise more money, keep us going, and raise awareness.”

To volunteer with the charity, email hr@yorkrescueboat.com