Search & Rescue Teams awarded additional funding
The Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley has awarded funding to Search and Rescue Teams across the Thames Valley
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, has today (6 July) announced £30,000 of funding for Search & Rescue Teams across the Thames Valley.
The funding, which has been awarded through the PCC’s Community Fund, will be split across the five Lowland Search and Rescue Teams based in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Matthew said: “The support that Thames Valley’s five search and rescue organisations provide to the police is invaluable. Their assistance in searching for vulnerable and missing people can help to save lives and bring closure for families in the worst of circumstances.
“I am therefore delighted to be able to provide £30,000 of core funding to help support the vital role of each of these Search and Rescue organisations who keep our communities safe across Thames Valley.”
Chris Curry, Chairman of Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, said: “This is a fantastic contribution towards our running costs. It will help pay for things such as insurance, fuel, rent and basic equipment repairs which are so much more difficult to fund than capital items, allowing us to continue supporting Thames Valley Police in the search for vulnerable missing people.”
Mags Kelly, Chair of Bucks Search and Rescue, said: “This funding is very warmly received with the thanks and appreciation of our Trustees, management team and all of our members. Running costs are the non-negotiable items that allow us to remain operational. With this contribution towards them, it means that we can redirect other funds that our fundraising team or central events team work so hard to raise to projects that will allow us to expand our capacity and capabilities further over the coming years.
“We are very proud of the high standards and availability that the team provides within the Thames Valley Lowland Rescue group, and the essential support provided to Thames Valley Police in the search for vulnerable high risk missing people.”
Graeme Rumbol, Chairman of Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs, said: “This contribution to the teams running costs is essential to allow the team to maintain its high standards and availability of qualified search dogs to the Thames Valley Lowland Rescue Teams, which provide essential support to Thames Valley Police in the search for vulnerable missing people.”
Marcus Nurton, Chairman for Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, said: “Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire are very grateful to the PCC for providing funding to our charity. Vehicle insurance, maintenance and fuel are paramount to our operations, and knowing we have funds in place for the future is fantastic news for our organisation.”
John Seaman, Secretary and Fundraising Lead for Search Dogs Buckinghamshire, said: “Search Dogs Buckinghamshire are delighted to have been provided with funding from the Community Fund to support the costs of running our team and developing our K9 search capability. This is especially welcome due to the lack of opportunities for direct fundraising during the pandemic, and this provides our charity with financial security for the coming year.”
The Community Fund supports voluntary and community groups that help to prevent crime and keep communities safe. Money for the scheme comes from the sale of items seized from criminals that cannot be returned to their rightful owners.
