insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 06 - August 2015 | Page 93

CHARITY

GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME

VOLUNTEERING IN SUSSEX
VOLUNTEERING HAS MANY BENEFITS THAT CAN HELP BOTH THOSE IN NEED, AND
YOU. EVEN THOSE OF US WITH THE BUSIEST OF LIVES MIGHT FIND IT BENEFICIAL TO
TAKE A LITTLE TIME (JUST ONE HOUR A WEEK, OR EVEN A MONTH, CAN MAKE ALL THE
DIFFERENCE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED), AND FOR THOSE OF US WITH MORE TIME TO SPARE,
VOLUNTEERING CAN BECOME A HUGE PART OF OUR LIVES.
Volunteering allows those who take part the chance to learn new skills,
make friends and expand their social lives, help the community in which
they live, and even give you the confidence you need to move ahead in
your career or in life. As for those who are receiving the help, volunteers
are immeasurably valuable, and can change a feeling of hopelessness into
one of happiness.

There are dozens of opportunities to join in with the volunteer movement
in Sussex. It doesn’t matter what your particular skills are, what you do
for a living, how physically fit you are, or what sector you like the sound
of volunteering in – there will be something out there for you to do, and
someone out there who will appreciate you doing it.

Sussex Search and Rescue
www.sussar.org
Sussex Search & Rescue (SusSAR) are the primary volunteer resource
used by Sussex Police to search for, and rescue, vulnerable missing
people. They are on call 24 hours every day throughout the year. As
a 100% volunteer organisation, SusSAR members give their time free
of charge and expect nothing in return but satisfaction from a job well
done. It exists to serve the community of Sussex through the goodwill of
its members and charitable donations. The charity can be called out by
Sussex Police or by Search & Rescue Teams in other counties requesting
assistance at any time.

They are always looking for new members. Membership of SusSAR
involves quite a considerable commitment in terms of time, effort and
money. There are two training evenings a month (2nd & 4th Thursday),
at various locations across Sussex. Attendance at callouts is expected
wherever possible, and these can occur during the day or at night.
Members are also asked to attend fundraising events, in order to help
keep the team operational. Joining the team involves an initial 4-6 month
probationary period, followed by attendance (and successful completion)
of a weekend training course in search skills. Further ongoing training is
then available and expected. Being volunteers, all members provide their
own kit, transport and fuel costs.

As a result of its charity status and no funding, there are a variety
of means for fundraising. Fundraising activities can take the form of
collections at supermarkets, or providing marshals for events such as
marathons around Sussex, or representing the unit at public emergency
services shows during the summer, to name but a few.

People must be 18 years of age, physically fit and healthy, and able
to walk five miles in two hours over varying terrain, due to the nature
of the work they are asked to carry out. Training in skills such as
communications (use of handheld radio), navigation, first aid and water
safety will be provided.

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