A VOLUNTARY search and rescue group have received a cash boost after they were awarded £25,000 from Cheshire Community Foundation.

Cheshire Search and Rescue, who are on emergency call all year round, will put the charitable donation towards the cost of a new 4x4 pick-up vehicle.

The cause assists Cheshire Police and other emergency services providing help in adverse weather, major incident support, evidence searches and the recovery of casualties.

Simon Lane, team leader, said: “We’re able to deploy quickly across Cheshire and other countries when required thanks to our dedicated team of specialist volunteers but our vehicles are so old they spend a lot of time off the road being repaired.

“They’re not reliable enough and we’re extremely grateful to the foundation for its kind donation which means we now have a replacement vehicle on order.

“We’ve also received other smaller grants and have raised funds from bag packs at Marks and Spencer.”

The emergency service currently has two 25-year-old Land Rovers and an ex-police van used as a control vehicle which will now be replaced.

Cheshire Community Foundation has been supporting projects since its establishment in early 2012.

Since it began it has supported more than 520 projects, awarding a total of £1.8m to not-for-profit organisations such as charities, community groups and social enterprises.

Helen O’Donnell, chief executive of the foundation, said: “We help inspire local philanthropy and invest money in grass roots organisations.

“We help people who want to give back to the places in which they live, connecting them to the local community.

“Our role is to help them invest in that community in an intelligent and impactful way.”

The foundation awards grants quarterly with applications up to £1,000 assessed monthly.

For more information call 01606 330607 or email grants@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk.

By Jacob Metcalf