Search and rescue charity in need of new home

Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue says it is the "primary search resource" for Thames Valley Police in Berkshire

A search and rescue charity is looking for a new home because its current premises is due to be developed.

Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue (BLSAR) assist in searches for missing people, as well as helping Thames Valley Police (TVP) and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) with wider work in the county.

The Wokingham-based charity needs a new home by late September.

Mike Rennie, the charity's water lead, said they were "willing to talk to anybody" who might have a lead.

"We would need somewhere to store our extensive collection of equipment which does take up a little bit of room, an office, and if possible somewhere we could use as a classroom for our training," Mr Rennie said.

He said the charity also needed to be able to store four vehicles, one of which includes a boat trailer that they use for water searches.

BLSAR needs somewhere to train staff and store its equipment

Mr Rennie said somebody is reported missing every nine seconds in the United Kingdom.

"That is the crux of what we do," he said.

But, as well as providing search and rescue services, the charity has assisted with other things in the local area including the Covid-19 vaccination programme and the flood response at the start of the year.

"We provide quite a useful service to Thames Valley Police and the people of Berkshire," Mr Rennie said.

"We have equipment and our vehicles which we need to store somewhere... we just need a home so that we can operate as a team again."