FROM wading through freezing rivers to painstakingly scouring the countryside often in abysmal weather, Wiltshire’s Search and Rescue team – known as WILSAR – had an eventful 2014.

The voluntary body was called out 38 times during the year – twice less than in 2013 – in their efforts to find often vulnerable and confused people who have gone missing.

WILSAR spokeman Sly Jenkins said: “There seems to be no pattern to this. We can go a month without a call-out then receive three in the same week.”

Manned entirely by volunteers, WILSAR usually spring to action after being alerted by Wiltshire Police.

Call outs normally involve searching for the elderly with dementia or Alzheimer’s, young people with learning disabilities, children, mentally ill people or “basically anyone at risk of harm from themselves or the environment,” said Mr Jenkins.

On several occasions they located and returned to safety people who were lost, confused or in danger.

Mr Jenkins said: “The thrill and adrenaline experienced on these occasions is amazing and makes the training, the personal expense and enduring, tough conditions all worthwhile.

“Sadly there are occasions when we find the worst and the whole team have to be prepared for this too.”

Near Swindon last April they were tasked to find a 77 year old man who was eventually located in a field during the early hours.

“He was treated for hypothermia and handed over to the ambulance service.”

Had he not been found he may well have died.

During the year WILSAR acquired water search and flood response suits for their specially trained ‘water-bank searchers’.

With Big Lottery Fund cash they bought a trailer for the new kit which also houses their four bikes and two kayaks along with other equipment.

Fundraising further enabled the team to provide every member with a red ‘search and rescue’ WILSAR badged all-weather jacket.

A dozen or so volunteers also underwent ‘flood first responder’ training which will enable them to react to emergencies caused by the increasing threat of flooding.

Members of the self-funded body pay for their own training, kit and fuel.

l A WILSAR induction evening for potential new members is planned for Wednesday, January 14 in Devizes. Anyone wishing to attend or find out more about volunteering should contact membership@wilsar.org.uk