MEMBERS of the York Rescue Boat have taken to the water for the first time.

Volunteers led by Dave Benson took to the Ouse at Acaster Malbis today, to try out their new boat and kit.

Locals and camera crews gathered to watch as the team put their boat through its paces, along with Jackie Roberts, who has been a supporter of the charity since her daughter Megan died in the Ouse in January 2014.

Dave said: “It’s gone brilliantly. We have got quite a few volunteers down and it’s a culmination of all of our efforts to show volunteers what their fundraising efforts have come to so far.

“It’s quite surreal really. It started off where we were in the back of a crew member’s car with a banner and a table and a collection pot, raising £15 at a time.

“Just over a year on we have a new boat, new kit, and a Land Rover and we’re not far off being fully operational - it’s really exciting.”

The team spent several hours on the water, and are due back on the river on Saturday for more practice, ahead of an official launch within the next few months.

Dave said: “The boat is handling really well, excellently in fact, it’s absolutely right for our needs.

“We have a rescue dummy to simulate a body in the water and it’s weighted the same as an average person, so we’re practicing recovery with that so trying that out and taking the guys through it and getting used to it.

“The volunteers are all really excited about it so far. Everyone’s in the new gear and it’s gone really well. We’re trying to get as many through the training as we can to get the team brought together, really.

“It’s a year’s hard work and we’re pretty much there with all the kit and what we need so that’s really great.”

To find out more about the York Rescue Boat, or to donate, go to yorkrescueboat.com