A West Cornwall charity that provides inland search and rescue cover is holding an open evening on Wednesday, March 11 at its base in United Downs, to encourage people to join its newly formed support team.

West Cornwall Search and Rescue, which has around 40 active voluntary members, has recently set up its support team to help with a variety of tasks including fundraising, giving talks, acting as casualties for members to practise their first aid skills on, or hiding from search dogs who have to find them.

Team chairman Andy Brelsford, said: “The core of our search and rescue operations are our call-out members who go out at any time day or night, in all weathers, to help locate and rescue missing people or conduct difficult access rescues. But like any good team, we rely on a whole range of other roles behind the scenes.”

“Members train weekly and undertake a variety of specialist training including medical, navigation and rope practice. So we need a little help from members of the public with a few hours to spare every now and then to help with marketing, publicity, fundraising and other tasks that ease the burden on the core team.”

One volunteer already helping is 22 year-old Dan Chappell, who works as a photographer by day.

He said: “I have a lot of fun helping the team out. I get involved in lots of the fundraising activities but I also help around the base with various tasks including organising the collecting tins and of course taking photos of the team’s exploits."

Members of the support team are not expected to be on call or go out on rescues but they can get involved in most other aspects of the team’s activities.

To find out more about their work, go along to the open evening at Unit 10, United Downs Industrial Estate from 7pm or visit their website – www.westcornwallsar.co.uk