WUKSART Wheels Appeal

Watersafe UK search and Rescue need to urgently replace 2 of our response vehicles as the ones we currently run have reached the end of their useable life and are uneconomical to repair. Without these vehicles the team will be left being unable to respond to incidents.

We need to raise £80,000 to cover the purchase and conversion costs of the new vehicles via donations from the public. Please help us out with a donation using this Page.

What are we fundraising for?

We are fundraising for 2 new Response Vehicles. These are specially converted vehicles that operate and provides a crucial part of our ability to provide our vital 24/7 rescue service. 

The first vehicle is a pickup truck, this used to transport our equipment, tow the boats and transport some team members to an incident. Without this vehicle the team are unable to get both our specialist equipment and teams to an incident.

The second is a crew van, this is used for multiple purposes, initially it makes sure that our team arrive at an incident safely and tow additional boats and equipment. Once at an incident it is used for crew welfare and command van acting as -

• communications and IT hub and liaison point with other emergency services.
• Helps transport team members to call-outs.
• Has built in welfare facilities for team members responding to to long-duration incidents. 
• Carries additional emergency equipment for specialist rescues.
• Enables us to respond to and manage operations more effectively and ultimately provide better care for casualties.

This vehicle really earns its keep on the long, complex incidents that we attend – for instance, a long search and rescue, or a flooding event. These can go on for multiple days, during which the Incident Controllers have to safely manage, and look after, many teams of rescuers who are operating over a wide geographical area in extremely challenging conditions.

How much do we need to raise? 

We are aiming to raise £80,000 to cover the full cost of the new vehicles Where will this money go? 

First, is the cost of the base vehicles which will be a crew van and pickup truck

The vehicles need a comprehensive internal fit-out that includes seating, communications and IT equipment, ability to connect to power, safety equipment, wet equipment and secure storage.

The exterior of the vehicle has to go through the full ’emergency services’ treatment, which includes blue lights & siren, and high-visibility livery.

These are bespoke conversions that needs to ‘just work’, every time, without fail. We will therefore be working with specialist suppliers & converters of emergency vehicles with an excellent reputation for doing high-reliability emergency-vehicle conversions.

About Watersafe UK Search and Rescue Team -

WUKSART (Watersafe UK Search & Rescue Team) is a 100% voluntary search & rescue organisation and registered charity based in the East Midlands. Our purpose is to provide response and operational support to the Fire Service, Police and other blue light services.

Our charitable objectives state we exist for public benefit, to relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by flooding or natural hazards. WUKSART specialises in the following:

• Responding nationally to flooding under the DEFRA Concept of Operations.
• Water rescue incidents within the East Midlands and Nationally.
• Local & widespread flooding.
• Searches for missing and vulnerable people.
• Provide support during times of adverse weather conditions.
• Provide support at water related incidents when required.
• Powerboat rescue operations.
• Provide underwater search capability.
• Flood support to local communities including flood evacuation.

We can provide a team of volunteers who have the required skills, experience and local knowledge, as well as the necessary equipment and communications facilities, to be able to be of genuine assistance to the paid Emergency Services. We will provide this service at any time of the day or night, without charge, in any situation where one of the official Emergency Services or other approved organisations decides that their efforts would benefit from the support we can offer.

To see some of the work that we do, and share this page on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Further information on the team is available on the WUKSART webpage.

Or contact us at: [email protected] or [email protected]