A LIFE-saving service in Warwickshire has landed a windfall to help it search for vulnerable missing people in the county.
Insurer NFU Mutual, based in Stratford, has donated £1,000 to Warwickshire Search and Rescue (WarkSAR).
WarkSAR is a lowland rescue team, part of a bigger family of 36 teams across the UK.
All members are unpaid volunteers from different walks of life, from 18 to 80 years old. They are available to respond to callouts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
As well as search management personnel, team leaders and search technicians, WarkSAR also has a search dog team and a specialist kayak team.
The donation, which comes from NFU Mutual’s Community Giving Fund, will help WarkSAR buy specialist clothing equipment for their volunteers.
Each Search Technician volunteering with the charity requires a complete set of waterproof outdoor wear suitable for all weather conditions and situations.
The money will be divided between four of the charity’s newly qualified Search Technicians once they have completed their year of intensive training.
Ian Malins, team chair of WarkSAR, said: “This welcome donation makes a huge difference to us.
“It will enable WarkSAR to fully kit out four trainee Search Technicians once they have completed their training, providing the team with more personnel on the ground during searches for vulnerable missing people in Warwickshire and the surrounding areas.”
Beth Pritchard, corporate social responsibility consultant at NFU Mutual, said: “The pandemic has been a difficult time for charities, forcing them to postpone many of their usual fundraising activities.
“WarkSAR makes a wonderful difference to our community and we hope this donation will help them to continue their vital operations.”
