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Channel Islands Air Search 1980 - 2008 - 28 Years of Search & Rescue Service |
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Guernsey Friends of Air SearchPresident's Report 2005It falls to me to present the President's Annual Report in this rather special year 2005. Special because as you know it marks the 25th Anniversary of Channel Islands Air Search. A year which gave those currently involved with the organization in many different ways, an opportunity to reflect on and respect the immense time, work, effort and support that has gone into making the service the success it is today from its relatively simple beginnings back in 1980. The first major event that commemorated the anniversary was the Service of Thanksgiving and Re-dedication of the aircraft at the hangar in March, conducted by the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverend Canon K Paul Mellor. We were honoured by the attendance of our patron, H.E. The Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant General Sir John Foley and the Bailiff and Lady Carey. The event was also attended by about 120 people including Trustees past and present, crew members, Friends and representatives from the emergency services, airport and major benefactors from all the islands in both Bailiwicks. The event attracted considerable media coverage and was the launch platform for the commemorative events that were to follow. Representatives from all arms of the service along with major benefactors were invited to attend Receptions hosted by the Lieutenant Governors of both Guernsey and Jersey at their respective official residences in recognition of the 25th anniversary. A barbeque was also arranged at Guernsey Aero Club in July for all those involved in running and supporting the service over the years and this proved to be a most successful event. The highlight of the year was felt by many to be the formal recognition of Channel Islands Air Search by the award of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service presented to the Chief Officer, Captain Roger Dadd, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by the Lieutenant Governor at Government House. The award is given to voluntary organizations in recognition of the work they do for the good of the community. Channel Islands Air Search was one of only two charities selected in the island to receive this in 2005 and it seemed particularly fitting that Air Search should receive it in its 25th anniversary year. Whilst the anniversary celebrations brought considerable additional media coverage and exposure of the work done by Air Search, they in no way detracted from the prime reason for the organization's existence and the work done by the Friends in support of this. During 2005 the number of searches in which service was called increased by four to twenty-four in comparison to the same period to date in 2004. As in previous years these covered a wide range of incidents from persons overboard from various types of vessel to missing divers at sea and missing persons on-shore, with several other types of incident in between. The searches have been spread widely throughout the whole of the islands thereby heightening awareness of the value of the service to all communities in this part of the world. Once again Guernsey Friends have held a number of Hangar Evenings willingly supported by crew-members whose assistance is much appreciated and invaluable for such occasions. Groups including a diving club, Women's Institute, Ladies Luncheon club, the Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes and cubs and guides have attended to name just some. The Friends have been very active during the last year in trying to raise the profile of the service and have attended many events including the Annual Charities Fayre, the Boat Show, Delancey Park Fun Day, St. Saviour's Revels, the West Show, Harbour Carnival, having a stall at the Wave Summer Concert, Donkey Derby, assisting with a vin d'honneur in the Air Search Hangar for the Annual Air Rally to name just some. These with other events and fund-raising initiatives, including our Christmas card for last Christmas which sold over 7000 copies, have boosted our fund-raising for the year very considerably. For reasons beyond our control we did not hold an Open Garden in 2005. Our thanks go out to all those Friends who helped organise our coverage of and man the stands at these events. Their support is invaluable and without it we could not achieve much of what we are able to do. Yet again company sponsorship of searches has played an important part in helping to fund the call-outs. However, more sponsorship is always welcome. Our Annual Draw and collecting-boxes still provide valuable additional income. Air Search has received some generous bequests and donations in memory of those who had a special reason or association to remember the service. We are particularly grateful to all those who thought of the organization in this manner, often at a time of great personal distress or loss. I am pleased to report that in the financial year just ended, the Guernsey Friends of Air Search were able to pay over to the Trustees a grand total of £33,500 to support the operation of the service. This is a notable reflection of the hard work and dedication given by the small number of members on the Committee and the helpers who achieved this and is greatly appreciated by the Trustees. Without such financial backing the operation could not be funded. The Guernsey Friends wish to record their appreciation for the support and contributions they have received from the Friends in Sark and Herm who have held special events during the year in support of us, and of course, Alderney. We have in this anniversary year been in close contact with the Jersey Friends and are working with them to achieve a closer liaison in a number of ways for the mutual benefit of the organization. The work of the service has never been in greater demand and with ever-increasing costs, including the recent rises in oil prices, we cannot afford to relax our efforts in fund-raising. With the first 25 years behind us, we need to look forward to the next. The only two things we can be certain of are that the need for the service will continue and the cost of running it will increase! Our mandate therefore must be to carry on the work that has been done with such success by the Friends of Air Search over the last 25 years and thus ensure the continued availability of such a vital service in the future. On that note I should like to thank the Committee for all the support and help they have given to both Air Search and to me on a personal basis. I know the amount of work that committee members often do behind the scenes in between meetings which is perhaps not apparent from the outside and we are particularly grateful for these "unsung efforts." When one reads through the details in the reports of services and sees, often the unsocial hours of the call-outs, it very much brings home to one that perhaps we do in fact have the easier, although a very vital part of the job to do, and makes one appreciate what the crews put into the operation. Thank you all for your support.
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The Queen's award for Voluntary Service 2005
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Please email us if you require more information about the work of the charity. Registered Charity in Jersey (no. 104) and Guernsey (no. 53)Copyright © 2002-2008 Channel Islands Air Search. Designed by Ivor Bisson. |
