A VOLUNTEER organisation that provides specialist search dog support has received vital new lifesaving equipment to continue its work assisting emergency services.

Dorset Search Dogs, which is affiliated to Lowland Rescue, was presented with funding to purchase two Lowland Rescue First Responder kits, which include automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment as well as additional first aid training equipment.

A donation of £2,750 from Talbot Village Trust was given to the organisation to purchase life-saving first aid equipment.

The charity, which was formed in 2006, provides search dog services to police and other emergency services in incidents where they are trying to locate missing people.

Volunteers, who are trained in search techniques and first aid, are on call 24 hours a day to operate across Dorset and the surrounding areas.

Matt Cooke, chairman of Dorset Search Dogs, said: “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation made by Talbot Village Trust. This is something that we would not have been able to fund ourselves without their help.

“We obviously hope that we will not need to use the equipment on a regular basis, but given the nature, frequency and circumstances of our work, the equipment will undoubtedly help the team to save lives.”

Matt added that the team often work in remote areas with limited access to power or medical facilities, so if they find a missing person who requires immediate medical attention, they need to provide assistance until an ambulance arrives.

He said that the Lowland Rescue First Responder kits would ensure that the team could respond to an incident using the full extent of their skills, including the use of the AED equipment.

Russell Lucas-Rowe, trustee of Talbot Village Trust, added: “We wanted to do all that we could to ensure that Dorset Search Dogs could continue to offer their exceptionally important work to help to look for missing people.

"It is a fantastic cause and we have no doubt that it proves invaluable to the emergency services when looking across woodland, farmland and along on the shoreline. We hope the charity will continue to operate for many years to come.”