Search and Rescue

Sussex Search & Rescue (SusSAR) is the primary voluntary resource used by Sussex Police to search for, and rescue, vulnerable missing people, on call 24 hours every day throughout the year, and local business support is vital for it to run…

As a 100% voluntary organisation, members give their time free of charge and expect nothing in return but satisfaction from a job well done. SusSAR exists to serve the community of Sussex through the goodwill of its members and charitable donations from local businesses and members of the public.

The team can be called out by Sussex Police or by other Search & Rescue Teams in neighbouring counties requesting assistance at any time. They are all highly trained in first aid and searching competencies, but they require assistance in two areas; financial support and fundraising opportunities.

SusSAR receives no government funding and relies solely on its members to raise funds through a variety of means ranging from collections at supermarkets, to providing marshals for events such as marathons and triathlons around Sussex, or representing the unit at public events such as emergency services shows during the summer, as well as donations from members of the public, companies and grants.

How can you help SusSAR with fundraising? The unit is regularly looking for volunteers to join the team as solely non-operational fundraising members who will become an integral part of the team.

Alternatively, you can join as a fully operational team member and join the men and women that dedicate their time to help the people of Sussex that need them the most when their loved ones go missing. Fully operational membership of SusSAR involves quite a considerable commitment in terms of time, effort and money. Operational team members are also required to fulfil fundraising commitments to continue to help the team remain operational.

The support of local businesses is vital to Sussex Search and Rescue. Support can vary from a one-off grant or contribution, to regular financial donations or the gifting of equipment that will assist the team in their roles.

Additionally, the team is looking for a ‘home’ in the central Sussex area. Ideally this would be somewhere that can hold 40-50 people for indoor meetings, plus a small office area.

For companies looking to boost their CSR activity, SusSAR is the ideal charity to support and the team is more than happy to publically recognise any donation. And discussions are welcome on official partnerships for brands looking to associate themselves on a regular basis with the unit.

Perhaps part of your CSR policy is to encourage employees to give a day supporting a charity. If so, send them to help with a fundraising event. Or you have some services/products that could be of use to the team such as clothing, first aid or technical support, or even a financial donation. And if you have any events SusSAR can help you with, or know of any opportunities for them to fundraise, please get in touch.

If you want to discuss ways of supporting and working with Sussex Search and Rescue, or find out more, please contact Hannah Dickens, Fundraising Officer at fundraising@sussar.org.

To find out more information about Sussex Search and Rescue, visit http://www.sussar.org