WILTSHIRE Search and Rescue had its busiest year on record with volunteers giving more than 28,000 hours to help find, rescue and treat missing and vulnerasble people.

In total the team members gave 28,617 hours of volunteering time in the 12 months up to the end of December 2019 and were called out 62 times. There are currently 75 volunteers in the team.

Adrian Sawyer, the chairman of Wiltshire Search and Rescue, said: “In 2018 and 2019 combined we were called out 132 times making the two years our busiest on record. This is partly due to our increased close working with the police, fire and ambulance services, as well as Great Western Hospital, and our ability to quickly mobilise a number of our volunteers anywhere in Wiltshire with very little notice.

"We are proud of the volunteering that we do and 2019 saw some challenging, emotional and rewarding searches for our team. We are also so grateful for everyone who has given £1 or £10,000 towards the cause. We have to fundraise every penny that we need including headlight bulbs, diesel for our vehicles, bandages, head torches and maps. Fundraising is as vital as our search work because it is what keeps us able to help when our community needs us most.”

The team also took part in more than 1,100 hours of training and 1,770 hours of fundraising.

Wiltshire Chief Constable Kier Pritchard added: “We are extremely grateful to every member of Wiltshire Search and Rescue. They work tirelessly and without reward to support our officers and staff with our work to find and help vulnerable missing people.

“It never ceases to amaze me that there is a whole cohort of volunteers who wait by their phones to leap into action as soon as we call. We thank you all for your dedication and your support.”

The Wiltshire Search and Rescue team has also announced the launch of its new 4x4 vehicle, which was purchased using funds from sources including SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund, Clothworker’s Foundation, Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme, Green Hall Foundation and monies raised in memory of Rob Dunn who went missing in 2019.

In total £50,000 was raised allowing the team to buy a new Isuzu and have it kitted out with the necessary equipment to allow the volunteers to continue their life-saving work across Wiltshire and beyond.

The vehicle has been named Rob in memory of Rob Dunn who died after going missing in June 2019.

Money is also being spent on off-road driving qualifications for a number of members of the team to ensure they have the right training across difficult terrain.