Swindon MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson have welcomed the news that Wiltshire Search and Rescue has been chosen as one of the fifty charities to benefit from a government funding boost.
The search and rescue team, which operates in Swindon and all over Wiltshire assisting Wiltshire Police in the search for missing and vulnerable people, has been awarded £24,208.38 for essential search and rescue equipment.
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland commented:
“Volunteers from Wiltshire Search and Rescue are regularly called out to assist Wiltshire Police in their search for missing vulnerable people, including children, people with learning difficulties, those with Alzheimer’s or dementia and those suffering with depression and suicidal tendencies.
“All members of the charity are trained in specialist search techniques and the discipline and respect required when handling missing people and their loved ones.
“Wiltshire Search and Rescue provide a vital service here in Swindon that our police force regularly calls upon and depend on, so I am pleased that they will benefit from this additional Government funding.”
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson commented:
“Wiltshire Search and Rescue regularly carry out lifesaving work here in Swindon, helping to locate high risk missing persons, so I am pleased that they will receive this additional government funding to help them buy the essential search and rescue equipment that they need.”
Every year people across Swindon and Wiltshire go missing. They may be despondent and in need of medical attention, have dementia and are confused, or are vulnerable, young or in danger.
Wiltshire Search and Rescue exists to find those vulnerable and missing people and remove them to a place of safety.
Last year, the charity was called to assist Wiltshire Police across Swindon and Wiltshire over 70 times and the team gave over 25,000 voluntary hours.
Requests for the team to be deployed come from a Category 1 responder, for example the Fire, Police or Ambulance Services, a Local Authority or an NHS hospital.
The Wiltshire Search and Rescue team consists of approximately 75 members who can be called out by one of the charity’s Duty Phone Holders. They will act as a point of contact for an emergency service control room. Searches are then managed on the ground by Search Managers, who act under the direction of a Police Search Advisor (PolSA.) or an Officer in Charge.
Wiltshire Search and Rescue run a training programme for new volunteers each year. If you'd like to find out more about joining the team of raising money for this vital local charity, please visit https://www.wilsar.org.uk/
