Tarmac extend NEWSAR support for further year

19 February, 2022

£15,000 donation from company helps Welsh SAR team reach and rescue those in need

ADVENTURE-seekers in Wales will be able to enjoy the great outdoors safe in the knowledge that – should they get into trouble – help will be at hand thanks to a donation from Tarmac. Extending their support by another year, the company has agreed to a £15,000 contribution to North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) for the maintenance of its emergency Land Rovers.

NEWSAR spokesperson Gerald Davison said: ‘The Tarmac funding has been transformative to our emergency efforts, and we are delighted that the company has agreed to another year of funding for the maintenance of our Land Rovers, which are such a vital part of our ability to quickly respond, reach, and rescue those in need.

‘Maintaining the fleet of emergency vehicles costs a lot for their upkeep and fuel, so without Tarmac’s help we wouldn’t be so effective in helping people. The money includes support for our Incident Control Unit and another vehicle used in flood rescue work.’

The rescue vehicles allow NEWSAR to cover Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham, and Powys, and regularly assist mountain rescue teams in North Wales, as well as lowland search and rescue teams in Cheshire and Shropshire.

‘Beyond our people, the vehicles are our most valuable asset, enabling us to get to casualties quickly, deliver vital rescue equipment, and evacuate them from the scene,’ added Mr Davison. ‘We work closely with the police, ambulance, and fire service, as well as other mountain and lowland rescue teams, the coastguard, and air ambulance services.’

Tarmac have a long-standing relationship with NEWSAR, including working together to promote quarry safety. Tim Gallagher, area operations manager for Tarmac, said: ‘We are really pleased that we have been able to continue supporting NEWSAR this year. The work the volunteers do is vital in helping to keep the people of North Wales safe.

‘NEWSAR also undertake our closed-site emergency rescue risk assessments, which are used to co-ordinate rescues with the police. We work closely with them to carry out joint visits to local schools and groups in the area to give talks on the dangers of playing in quarries and deep water.’