PGL Little Canada played host to new recruits from the local Lowland Search and Rescue organisation, WightSAR, to complete it’s Safe to Search assessment, marking the partnership’s 6th year.
As part of PGL’s commitment to support local communities and make a positive impact, WightSAR was given exclusive use of the activity centre to run through the crucial tasks that are required for their formal assessments, including skills training, a night-time search, and an evacuation drill.
Thanks to PGL, 5 recruits passed their training successfully and are now fully qualified members of the operational team, equipped with the skills needed to provide life-saving support for high-risk, vulnerable missing persons on the Isle of Wight.
General Manager at PGL Little Canada, Gavin Devoy, said:
“As an organisation, we understand how important it is to play our part and so we’re proud to support the volunteers of WightSAR with their training.
“By giving them access to our centre, they can focus on what’s most important, learning what they need to provide valuable support for our community.
“Congratulations to the five recruits for passing their training, and a huge thank you to WightSAR for what they do for residents and guests on the island every year.”
WightSAR relies solely on donations to provide their services meaning PGL’s offer of the centre, as well as lunch, dinner, and refreshments for the day, meant vital costs were saved and can be redirected for operational resources.
Volunteers also had the opportunity to experience the same local terrain and conditions they will be faced with in live call outs, instead of travelling to the mainland.
Recruit Trainer and Assessor at WightSAR, Damon Corr, said:
“Once again, we are indebted to PGL’s generosity and the welcome of their friendly staff at Little Canada.
“There is simply nowhere else we could base ourselves for this vital element of the annual calendar, safe in the knowledge that we are being looked after, catered for, and welcomed with open arms, allowing us to concentrate all our efforts on the qualification phase of our new Licensed Search Technicians development journey.”
For more information on how you can support WightSAR, visit their website here.
Great to hear this