Dorset Search Dogs has received a boost to its funds after kind-hearted colleagues at the nearby Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) depot held a bake sale to raise money for the volunteer organisation.

Workers from the SSEN Poole depot had heard that Dorset Search Dogs was hoping to purchase an infra-red camera, which enables search crews to pick up heat signatures when they’re called into action in the hunt for missing persons.

As the SSEN team had already tackled Dry January and Veganuary, they decided that the rewards of baking were just what was needed to help them raise funds for the local organisation, which provides search and rescue support 24 hours a day – all year round – and relies on donations from members of the public and local companies to operate.

Through the sale of scones, sponges and strawberry tarts, the team raised a total of £200 to contribute to the purchase of the much-needed camera equipment.

Matt Yates, Community Relationship Manager for the region acted as both baker and banker for the fund-raiser and said: “Dorset Search Dogs is a well-known local organisation that functions purely through donations and when we heard that they were looking to buy such an important piece of kit, we didn’t hesitate to help. We’d all tackled the alcohol- and meat-free months at the start of the year, so we knew we needed something a bit more indulgent to get our colleagues to part with their cash and a bake sale was the perfect option.

“We know the service that Dorset Search Dogs provides to the local community is vital and we hope the money we have raised helps them to enhance the incredible work they do.”

Laurence Jeffries of Dorset Search Dogs commented: “We would like to offer our thanks, once again, to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, and especially the Poole depot staff, for their continued support of our charity.

“Dorset Search Dogs relies on donations to maintain its operational effectiveness when called out on behalf of the Police to search for vulnerable missing people; at all times and in all weather conditions. This donation will make a large difference towards maintaining and increasing our operational capability.”

Find out more about SSEN HERE

Wendy and Hattie delivered an impressive performance at the national assessments of Lowland Rescue search dogs last weekend to qualify as a level 2 hasty dog team.

The Search Dog assessments took place in Epping Forest and were hosted by Essex Search and Rescue.  The task was made harder for Search dog Hattie because the good weather saw the forest was busy with walkers, horse riders and cyclists.  Hattie was not distracted and stayed focussed on her task and found the three dogs bodies hidden on her 2 km route, within one hour, meeting the standard set  for a Lowland Rescue Hasty Dog.

Wendy said afterwards “I am overwhelmed and so happy ! Today my big, beautiful, clever girl qualified as a Lowland Rescue Search & Rescue Dog. Major thanks to all who have supported us throughout the roller coaster of a ride that the last 4 years has been, especially my team mates who did the 200 mile round trip with me and the assessors who passed her”

 

There was no time to relax after their success when they were called out the very next evening on a live search.

Hattie is a Giant Schnauzer; giant in size and giant in character. She absolutely loves the search game and has a reputation in the team for her enthusiasm and energy!