The charity, that is run by volunteers, are on call 24/7 and are called out by Cheshire Police to search for vulnerable high risk missing people.
The team of 48 people are also on hand to assist North West Ambulance Service with medical support.The charity received £1,000 from our Chester community fund, linked with the our Kings Moat Garden Village development on Wrexham Road, to purchase five flotation devices.
Sarah Bazley, fundraising lead at Cheshire Search and Rescue, said: “We cover the whole of Cheshire and, outside of our own geographical boundaries, we regularly work alongside neighbouring Mountain and Lowland Rescue teams. In recent years we have advanced our water based search capability significantly and we needed to replace our old flotation devices."
"We have managed to replace 10 this time, five with Redrow’s donation plus another five that were funded by the team doing a sponsored fundraising event but we would like to buy another 20 at least to replace the remaining old ones, so we are always looking for fundraising opportunities.”
Cheshire Search and Rescue specialise in rescuing people in high risk situations such as those who are suicidal, despondent, living with autism, mental illness, dementia or other impairments that may lead them to be missing.
Sarah continued: “The £1,000 donation from Redrow means a lot as we don’t get paid for our services and members cover their own expenses in addition to paying a monthly subscription so when we do need to buy new kit, it’s up to us to fund it.”
Members are trained in search skills, navigation and medical. In addition, there are opportunities to get involved in activities such as water-based training, communications, working on steep ground, party leader, search planning, search control, incident management, search dog training and crime scene preservation.
Sales director for Redrow NW, Anna Evans-Kerr, said: “Cheshire Search and Rescue is an invaluable asset. The volunteers risk their own lives to save others but with their new equipment, they will be a lot safer and can focus their efforts on rescuing those in need.”
Find out more about Cheshire Search and Rescue.
To find out more about the homes we are building at Kings Moat Garden Village on Wrexham Road visit North West - Chester.
