NEWSAR Celebrates 45 Years of Life-Saving Service in North East Wales
This week, NEWSAR marks 45 years of dedicated service in North East Wales, helping communities in need.
Wrexham, North East Wales, NEWSAR, Search and Rescue, Volunteers
Originally, they kicked things off in 1979 as the Clwyd Rescue Team. Since then, they’ve become a crucial part of emergency services, working alongside police and ambulance teams in places like Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham, and even parts of Conwy and Powys.
In 1994, they officially changed their name to NEWSAR. Over the years, they’ve saved countless lives, responding to about 80 calls each year. Whether it’s searching for missing people or rescuing folks in tricky spots, they’re on call 24/7, every day of the year.
A spokesperson for NEWSAR gave a heartfelt shoutout to all the volunteers, saying, “A huge thank you to every volunteer for your selfless service and unwavering commitment. Your efforts make NEWSAR the strong, resilient team it is today.”
This charity runs entirely on donations and grants, needing around £30,000 a year to keep things going. They don’t charge for their services, which cover everything from vehicle maintenance to training and gear like ropes and stretchers.
NEWSAR is also part of a larger Mountain Rescue network in England and Wales, often teaming up with groups in Cheshire and Shropshire. What started as a small group of volunteers has turned into a well-trained organization linked with the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association.
While they still do traditional mountain rescues, they often get called to help find missing persons, especially those who might be vulnerable or unwell. Just a reminder for everyone: NEWSAR is available 24/7, but they can only be activated through police or ambulance services after a 999 call.
As a registered charity, their success really hinges on the kindness of the public. If you want to help out, you can find more info on their fundraising page.
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