Borders Water Rescue Team has received a £750 donation to continue its voluntary, lifesaving work supporting emergency services in water-based emergencies and events throughout the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The donation was made by Transport Scotland’s trunk road operating company, BEAR Scotland, which manages and maintains trunk roads throughout the South East of Scotland, including the A1, A7 and A68 which run through the Scottish Borders.

Borders Water Rescue Team is a voluntary service that acts as an extension of the local emergency services. Their experienced team assist with missing person searches, swift water rescue, and flooding evacuation.

The team was formed by Kelso Sub-Aqua Club in 1997 after two local incidents occurred where the presence of a water rescue team would have resulted in different outcomes. They have grown from strength to strength since becoming a registered charity in 2013 and remain one of the only water rescue teams in Scotland.

Bob Meins, Borders Water Rescue Team founding member, said: “Being first responders, costs can be high to make sure we keep ourselves and the public safe. We have recently taken on six new trainees so these funds will be going towards helping them get trained. It will help us put on more water safety talks and presentations within schools and community groups throughout the Borders.”

Borders Water Rescue Team also work alongside local events and competitions held in waterways and lochs in the Borders area. Thanks to the vital service they provide, larger audiences can attend activities like Common Ridings and water obstacles safely.

Caitlin Campbell, BEAR Scotland’s Media and Communications Assistant, nominated the charity to benefit from the road maintenance company’s Regional Charity Initiative.

Caitlin said: “As someone who grew up wild swimming in open water, it is nice to know that there are people working hard to make the water a safer place.”