AN APPEAL has gone out for volunteers to join or support a newly operational search and rescue team on Anglesey.

MônSAR (Anglesey search and rescue) is

Wales’ first lowland Search and Rescue team on the island.

The volunteer group was founded in May, 2015 to help mountain rescue teams and emergency services. Since then, the team has worked to gain official operational status.

Members meet every Wednesday at RAF Valley, and also once a month for training. Now, the team is looking for a new base. Andy Camwell, team leader, said: “We are delighted to have got our official operational status. It’s been a lot of hard work.

“Now we’d like to find a base, somewhere where we could store all our equipment, and use for training.”

North Wales Polices have donated a decommissioned vehicle, used an incident control vehicle, which is kept at Llangefni Police Station.

“At the moment, we have equipment stored in various places,” said Andy. “We’d love to hear from anyone who’d like to be a volunteer, boots on the ground or in a support role.”

Huw Thomas, chair of the MônSAR Working Group, said: “All members of the team have received specialist training that includes search techniques, search management and planning, first aid, communication and radio skills, fitness, and navigation training.”

Temporary Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard, the National Policing Lead for Search and Rescue said: “The team have been working hard to reach operational status. It is pleasing to see that they have been successful at this important stage.They will work closely with North Wales Police, mountain rescue teams, the Search and Rescue Dog Association (Wales) and other agencies.

See www.m-sar.uk or email a.camwell@m-sar.uk to offer support or volunteer.