WILSAR is a non-profit making organisation. We do not get funding from the government or local authority and we do not charge anyone for the services we provide, so we rely on our own fundraising, along with donations and sponsorship from the public and from companies.

It costs in excess of £10,000 per year to remain operational excluding the purchase of major investments like vehicles etc!

• All our members are unpaid volunteers. We do not have any paid employees.
• Our volunteers pay for most of their own equipment, clothing and expenses.
• Lowland Search and Rescue teams do not attract the same high profile as some larger Charities’ like the Air Ambulance, R.N.L.I. or Mountain Rescue, and as such do not easily attract sponsorship from large national or multi-national companies.

Fundraising activities

Our members work hard to raise funds for the team. As well as spending time on street collections and other direct means of collecting cash from generous members of the public, we also organise activities and involve ourselves in other people’s fundraising.

How you can help WILSAR

Here are some ways you may be able to support us.

• Make a donation. You can make a donation to WILSAR by sending us a cheque or postal order (payable to “Wiltshire Search and Rescue”). Please contact us for address details. Alternatively you can simply click the Paypal logo to donate on-line. We promise to keep your details confidential and hate spam mail just as much as you do!
• Offer a location for a collection pot. This will be emptied on a regular basis by one of our fundraising team.
• Payroll giving. Ask your employer if they support payroll giving. This is a scheme that allows employees to make donations on a regular basis straight from the employer’s payroll before tax is deducted. See the Inland Revenue web site for more information.
• Give your time. If you are interested in becoming an operational or support member involved in Search and Rescue, or would like to help with activities such as fund-raising, administration or operational support, please contact us for more information.

How Companies and Other Organisations can Help WILSAR

If you represent a commercial company or other organisation, here are some ways that you may be able to help:

• Financial donation. This can be in the form as a one off donation, or perhaps to fund a specific piece of equipment. Your generosity would be represented on our website and we would be happy to be jointly featured in any advertising or promotional material.
• Equipment or service donation. If your company produces or sells equipment, or provides a service that may be of use to us, or could be offered as a raffle prize at one of our fund raising events.
• Ongoing sponsorship. We would like to develop relationships with organisations that are able to provide financial support, equipment or services to us on a regular basis.
• Help your staff to help us. You could encourage your staff to support WILSAR by running fundraising events or choosing us as their nominated Charity at sponsored walks etc.:

Please contact us if:

• you would like more information about any of these options, or
• you would like to discuss other ideas for supporting our work, or
• you would like someone from WILSAR to come and give a presentation at your organisation.

We look forward to working with you.