YORK'S Rescue Boat appeal has been bolstered by a sponsored rowathon.

A 30-strong team of people at Trustmarque in Monks Cross have so far raised some £400 after taking turns to cover the distance it would take to row from Dover to Calais and back.

The money will go towards the York Rescue Boat which is expected to be up and running in the Spring.

Dave Benson, a former serviceman and a doorman who has helped prevent two women from drowning in the Ouse set up the York Rescue Boat about 18 months ago, and it became a registered charity earlier this year.

Jake Rowley said: "Dave is a good friend of mine and has put a lot of work to educate people in terms of the dangers of the Ouse and the Foss. It will take the pressure off the other emergency services."

The charity - which will patrol the Ouse during busy periods, as well as educating people of the dangers of York's rivers - has smashed its £10,000 target, reaching £13,000. The service aims to be up and running by the Spring.

Mr Benson said: "Most of the funds we have received have been from external fundraisers. It's close to people's hearts and I think they feel something should be done."

Last month a report revealed how York's rivers are more than three times as dangerous as the English average.

The study was carried out following the deaths of four people in the Ouse and the Foss, and found that while there were multiple slip and trip dangers near the rivers, the chances of self-rescue were slim.

The report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said: "Over the past five years there has, on average, been a serious incident every three months. Due to a mixture of rescues and good fortune, not all of these incidents have resulted in deaths. However, the drowning/submersion deaths rates for York are over three times the regional and national average.

"We found numerous low-level slip, trip or fall features that increase the likelihood of a fall into water. The activities of people around the water increase the risk of accidental slipping tripping and intentional entry into the rivers. Further, to this, at many locations, self rescue is expected to be difficult."

The report also found alcohol was involved in 45 per cent of incidents involving people going into the river, eight of which resulted in a death.

Trustmarque thanked York Sport Centre for lending the rower and supporting the event. To sponsor the team, visit www.givey.com/trustmarquedovertocalaisreturnrow