'The global pandemic has challenged everyone' - 2020 busiest year EVER for Wiltshire Search and Rescue

It has been confirmed that Wiltshire Search and Rescue (SAR) just faced its busiest year yet.

Volunteers from the charity were requested 165 times in 2020, an increase of more than a 100 compared to the previous 12 months.

The team of 85 volunteers gave 16,172 hours to the community.

According to the charity, the spike in demand is partially due to people's mental health being affected by the pandemic.

Assistance was given to local hospitals and emergency services running missing person searches. Wiltshire SAR staff also carried out welfare visits for residents.

The team undertook over 1,300 hours of training and 2,100 hours of fundraising to ensure that the charity stayed afloat.

It didn't stop in 2020 either, as the charity's first call this year arrived just a few minutes past midnight on New Year's Day.

The organisation faced a difficult year financially too, most of its events having to be cancelled because of COVID-19.

'I’m proud of every one of our volunteers'

Adrian Sawyer, chair of Wiltshire SAR, said:

"The global pandemic has challenged everyone across the county and our volunteers have been able to support where needed, be on call for our searching tasks and our expertise has been used on a number of occasions.

"I’m proud of the efforts of every one of our volunteers and know that we will continue to be here when our community needs us most.

"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, bandages, head torches and maps".

In February, the charity will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Details about the planned celebrations are due to be announced soon.

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• wiltshire
• wiltshire search and rescue
• covid-19
• pandemic