PRECIOUS time in getting to rescue missions could be saved thanks to a donation of a 17-seater minibus to Okehampton-based charity Rapid UK.
The donation of the minibus plus a trailer from 'Indespension' has saved the charity in excess of £25,000.
Director of Rapid UK Graham Payne, who attended a special presentation day in West Sussex on Friday to accept the vehicle, said it was something the charity had wanted for a long long time.
'I am chuffed to bits, he said. 'No matter where we go we always have a whole stream of cars — this minibus will be so beneficial in training exercises and will save time in organising transport for the team to Heathrow in the event of a mission.'
These generous donations may well provide the vital time needed to save lives in the future.
Within the last two years Rapid UK members have been deployed for search and rescue duties in Honduras, Peru, Turkey, Taiwan, Albania and Mozambique. Furthermore, the charity has been involved in the training of local rescue teams and humanitarian programmes in these and many other countries.
The presentation day at the home of one of the charity's patrons was attended by Sir Norman Wisdom, who is also a patron of Rapid UK, and a host of celebrity guests.
The event was combined with a major fundraiser for the charity which survives on corporate and private donations.
Mr Payne said last week's events had raised the profile of the charity.
'We will really look the part now because the vehicle has Rapid UK all over it and with the trailer it means all our equipment can come along at the same time. It is going to make such a difference.'
Members of Rapid travel all over the South West on exercise at demolition sites to give them experience of working in collapsed buildings.
The team travel long distances without food and sleep and are then expected to deal with different situations as and when they occur.
The charity's director said it was too much to expect the trainees to drive themselves around during exercise so the minibus was perfect.