TAVISTOCK’S Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team will benefit from £3,500 in funding as part of a £1-million pot to help dozens of volunteer search teams across the UK buy the equipment they need to save lives.

On Sunday, December 23, the Department for Transport revealed that the Tavistock rescue team was one of 57 successful bids for the latest round of the Rescue Boat Grant Fund.

The scheme was launched in 2014 to provide £5-million over five years to independent search and rescue teams working on inland waterways.

Tavistock will receive items to the value of £3,656.93 — items range from a drysuit costing £976.03 to a reach and rescue pole, line hook, costing £358.20.

Tavistock rescue team member Alan Packwood said: ‘The grant will allow our team to further increase our operational water rescue team capability. Specific items that we are now able to purchase are attachments for our reach and rescue pole — providing greater ability for our teams carrying out rescues without having to enter the water in dangerous levels, and new personal flotation devices, water helmets and dry suits which allow us to provide water kit to our newly qualified water team members and increase our operational capability.

‘As a charity, the price of maintaining and purchasing water rescue equipment to allow our team to provide this service is costly. We are therefore grateful to the Inshore and Inland Rescue grant for awarding our team this money.

‘Donations of any size really do make a large difference to our ability to provide the service we train for.’

Over the past four years, 201 bids have been successful — helping a total of 98 search and rescue charities. The money has already paid for 65 new boats in addition to launch vehicles, rafts, safety gear, and other costs to support rescue teams. As part of this year’s fund, 17 search and rescue charities based in the South West will receive a combined total of £242,179.

The bids for the latest round of funding were considered by an expert panel, chaired by officials and included representatives from DEFRA and the devolved administrations as well as expert advisers from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI and the Royal Yachting Association.