Search And Rescue Charity Gets A Boost

A voluntary organisation that carries out vital search and rescue work in Dorset has unveiled its new Control Vehicle.

The new DorSAR (Dorset Search and Rescue) Control Vehicle has important first aid equipment on board such as an automated external defibrillator, oxygen and spinal boards and has been specifically designed for search and rescue operations within Dorset.

The Control Vehicle, which was previously used as transport for disabled people, was funded by the organisation’s patron Mr William Gronow-Davis and from a charity golf event held in July 2010.

The vehicle itself is a DAF 145, registered on a 2001 number plate, and was sold to the organisation by the Royal Bank of Scotland well below the market value.

The new Control Vehicle offers improvements in head room, work space, stability and storage compared to the old vehicle and also provides the team with a tail-lift which assists with lifting the heavy equipment used by the volunteers.

It is maintained, fuelled and staffed by DorSAR volunteers and, as a result, relies entirely upon kind donations from
the public.

Bob Knott, President of DorSAR, said:

“This new control vehicle is a valuable and versatile asset that will ensure that the dedicated men and women of DorSAR are able to support Dorset Police in a diverse range of operational scenarios.

“I cannot express the gratitude we feel to our colleagues in Dorset Police and our sponsors for helping us to achieve this goal.”

The vehicle was officially unveiled at a small ceremony at the Rushmore Golf Club near Shaftesbury.

DorSAR is a registered charity and was formed in early 2004 and since then it has assisted in 106 search operations in Dorset and neighbouring counties. The organisation has 75 trained search volunteers who have completed over 5,000 work hours between them since DorSAR was formed.