It’s undeniable that we all lead incredibly busy lives these days. We are often pulled in many different directions with multiple demands on our time from work commitments, family, friends, etc. So I was really impressed to read that millions of people are still making time to volunteer their time on a regular basis. In fact, in the UK there are estimated to be approximately 14.2 million people who volunteer at least once a month. Here at Travall we are proud supporters of Bucks Search and Rescue and during Volunteers Week we want to salute the BSAR team who willingly volunteer their free time to help find missing persons.
What do Bucks Search and Rescue volunteers do?
Made up exclusively of volunteers, Bucks Search and Rescue (BSAR) is affiliated with the national body “Lowland Rescue” providing search and rescue assets throughout Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area. Lowland Search and Rescue is made up of 35 different teams in various counties and they take care of finding missing persons in any terrain between the mountains and the sea. This can be in towns, out in the countryside, in woodland or around rivers and canals. BSAR assists Thames Valley Police in locating high risk and vulnerable missing persons and giving medical aid where needed, working closely with other emergency services. They also provide assistance to the county council during times of adverse weather such as flooding and heavy snowfall.
The searches that the team carry out are typically done on foot but sometimes mountain bikes and boats are used depending on the terrain involved. Their vehicles are also heavily used for tasks such as getting equipment to where it is needed and for casualty evacuations. The types of searches that BSAR carries out can vary greatly. They can be looking for elderly people with dementia, or finding troubled teens, or assisting adults with behavioural health issues. These seemingly different scenarios all have one thing in common – all the missing persons are vulnerable individuals who require specialist care and attention. Most of the BSAR volunteers also have other full-time jobs and families to take care of. They selflessly volunteer their spare time to help find these vulnerable people.
How can you help Bucks Search and Rescue?
The BSAR team is a charity, which receives no government funding. It raises its own funds through assistance from individuals and companies. It also does its own fundraising, such as providing first aid at local events. Inspired by what you’ve read about this organisation? There are plenty of ways in which you may be able to help.
- You could volunteer your own time and skills. The team holds recruitment evenings throughout the year at which you can learn more about becoming a member of the team. This can be in search and rescue, as a dispatcher or in a non-operational support role.
- You could donate products or services. If you own a business that can assist in the smooth running of BSAR, they would love to hear from you. Travall took this approach by donating a Travall Guard, Travall Divider and Travall Liner that could be used in the rescue vehicle used by BSAR. Perhaps your company has products or services that would make their rescue missions that bit easier or more comfortable too?
- You could make a monetary donation. You can do this through Virgin Money Giving or by JustText Giving by Vodafone. Alternatively, you can purchase items on the Amazon wishlist for the team to keep them going when they’re out on a search.
Details of all of these ways of helping this organisation are available on the BSAR website.
