By Isle of Wight Observer
Isle of Wight Search & Rescue (Wight SAR) celebrates 15 years of service to the Island community on Tuesday.
The group, which began with a small Hampshire Search and Rescue initial response team of just six volunteers on the Island, led to the establishment of WightSAR by
Dean Terrett on November 3, 2011, creating a dedicated local search and rescue capability for the Isle of Wight.
A spokesman said: “Over the past 15 years, our volunteers have been available 24/7, 365 days a year, supporting Hampshire and Island Constabulary, and partner agencies in searches for vulnerable missing people, while contributing thousands of volunteer hours and responding to hundreds of operational deployments.
“From six volunteers to a team of over 40, a King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and countless lives touched along the way, this achievement belongs to everyone who has supported us.
“To every volunteer past and present, every family member, donor, supporter, fund-raiser, and partner agencies – thank you.
“WightSAR remains entirely volunteer-run, funded through the generosity of donations and fund-raising, and committed to serving the people of the Isle of Wight.”
