Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the new HQ of Warwickshire Search and Rescue at Stoneleigh Park.

Warwickshire Search and Rescue (WarkSAR) is a charitable Lowland Rescue team established to assist the emergency services in search operations for high risk missing people.

Established in 2013, WarkSAR is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and made up exclusively of highly trained volunteers, whose important work is made possible through fundraising, donations, grants and sponsorships.

I was impressed by the effort that had gone into remodelling their new HQ.

I'm told that members had spent 645 hours constructing an enclosed garage to house operational vehicles and water rescue equipment. Furthermore, the room layout had been modified to accommodate a classroom for the purpose of training volunteers.

Since inception, the charity has participated in over 375 searches for vulnerable missing people, which has involved searches on foot, with aerial drones, and via water with boats and kayaks.

WarkSAR volunteers primarily work with the emergency services to plan the detail of a search area, to deploy resources, to give first aid or resuscitation, and ultimately to bring back the person to safety.

Recently, WarkSAR was the first team to trial a new 5G-connected drone developed by Virgin Media O2, which has the potential to supply volunteers on the ground with reliable 5G connectivity, even in extremely remote areas, and enable access to life-saving information and communication channels.

In November of last year, in recognition of its excellent work, WarkSAR was presented with the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), which is the highest award a charity can receive and makes WarkSAR one of only six organisations in Warwickshire to be awarded the KAVS.

I felt privileged to have met some of the volunteers and to have heard about their crucial service to our community. I wish them all the best going forward and repeat my congratulations on their recent award.

For those interested in joining the Warwickshire Search and Rescue team, either as an operational member or a support member, please contact [email protected]. You can also contact [email protected] if interested in offering financial support to the vital work of the organisation.