VOLUNTEERS from the West Devon-based charity RAPID-UK this week attended a special reception along with a royal guest, which honoured their outstanding rescue work worldwide. The Duke of Gloucester, who is president of RAPID (Rescue and Preparedness in Disasters), attended the civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Gloucester, Cllr Lise Noakes on Monday. RAPID volunteers, who come from all over the country, were the first rescue team on the scene following the massive earthquake in Pakistan this autumn, pulling seven survivors from the rubble. RAPID was founded by Jacobstowe resident Graham Payne and almost ten years on is now considered one of the foremost rescue organisations in the country. A publicly funded charity which relies 100% on donations from the public, the organisation operates at home and abroad in the search and rescue of casualties following disasters. RAPID is also involved in the training and development of local disaster management teams in areas of the world vulnerable to large-scale natural disasters. There are teams currently being set up in Peru, Columbia, Pakistan, Turkey and Spain. To date, RAPID volunteers have used their specialist training and skills in the wake of earthquakes, floods and hurricanes in more than 24 countries around the world, most recently in Algeria, Iran and Pakistan. Team members are currently involved in rebuilding projects in Sri Lanka following last year?s tsunami.