£28,000 boost for SARDA IOM

Donation to support lifesaving voluntary organisation

More than £28,000 has been donated to a lifesaving voluntary organisation on the Isle of Man which helps find missing people.

The donation, from the Manx Lottery Trust, will enable the Search and Rescue Dogs Association to purchase essential equipment for its 12 on-call volunteers.

This is in addition to a search management system which will enhance search coordination.

The equipment includes first aid kits, survival bags, defibrillators, dog coats, helmets and survival shelters which can be used to treat casualties in remote areas.

Marc Marshall from SARDA IOM said: “We are profoundly thankful to Manx Lottery Trust for their generous support.

“This grant will significantly enhance our ability to respond to emergencies and save lives in the Isle of Man.

“Much of the time our dog teams face challenging and unpredictable search and rescue situations, so the new equipment and search management system will not only improve our efficiency but also the safety of our handlers, their dogs, and the individuals we aim to rescue.”

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, added: “SARDA IOM’s dog teams play a critical role in our Island's safety and we are proud to contribute to this initiative.

“The equipment and search management system funded by this grant will undoubtedly save lives and strengthen the resilience of our community.”