WightSAR Scores £20k Boost with New 4×4 for Rapid Rescue on Isle of Wight
New Beast on the Block: 4×4 Powers WightSAR’s Rescue Missions
Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (WightSAR) has landed a crucial £20,000 grant from SSEN to snap up a brand-new 4×4 vehicle. This rugged ride is a game changer, helping volunteers zip through rough terrain to reach remote spots faster. It’s not just about transport—the 4×4 is prepped for casualty extraction when every second counts.
Bad weather? No problem. WightSAR’s old vehicles struggled in adverse conditions, often when calls for help flood in. Now, the specially equipped 4×4 ensures their team is ready around the clock, whatever the weather throws at them.
WightSAR: Lifeline for Isolated Communities and Emergency Support
WightSAR’s role goes beyond regular rescues. As part of the Isle of Wight Emergency Resilience Forum, they work closely with the Isle of Wight Council to safeguard vulnerable locals. This means helping NHS staff and patients during harsh weather, and carrying out vital welfare checks for people stuck in isolated rural areas.
They also manage emergency helicopter landing sites for the Ministry of Defence and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service. The new 4×4 comes kitted out to quickly set up cordons and prepare landing zones, meaning helicopters can land safely and swiftly in rescue missions.
SSEN’s Support: A Life-Saving Partnership
Ian Drummond, SSEN’s Head of Region for the South East, hailed the boost:
“The work of WightSAR is much appreciated and well recognised across the region, so it’s wonderful to be able to further boost the essential service its teams provide by using the SSEN Resilient Communities Fund to help them purchase this vehicle.
“The benefits this new vehicle brings to the Isle of Wight’s residents and visitors can’t be underestimated. Our goal through SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund is to help our customers build their own resilience; this is an excellent example of how the funding can be used and, for SSEN, it’s another way of showing our customers that they really are at the heart of all we do.”
Already in Action: Saving Lives from Day One
The new 4×4 hasn’t wasted any time. It was a key player in a recent three-day search for a missing person, ferrying volunteers and vital drone gear to tricky locations across the island.
Dean Terrett, Chairman of WightSAR, said:
“We are delighted to receive this generous grant from SSEN, which has allowed us to purchase a 4×4 vehicle that will be of great benefit to the Island’s community and will further improve the capabilities of our search team.
“The addition of this vehicle will allow us to be more efficient, enabling us to access rural locations with our search assets and ultimately this will mean one more life saved.”
