This article is from page 24 of the 2009-01-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
BUNRATTY Search and Rescue has just wound down after a particularly quiet year, in terms of rescue opera- tions.
It responded to just two alerts over the past 12 months, which is calm in comparison with previous years. It was one of the quietest years since the group was established in 1989.
One of the operations resulted in the body of a woman being recov-
ered in Limerick in November, while three men were rescued in the other incident earlier this year.
“We were out for 23 days in the search for the woman. Apart from those two incidents, we were quiet,” said treasurer of Bunratty Search and Rescue, Bob Potter.
However, although their services were not regularly required, the 23 members of the club were busy throughout the year as regular train- ing is part and parcel of its work.
“The training is important. Over the years, there were times when bodies were found while we were out training,” said Mr Potter.
It costs in the region of €20,000 to run the club annually and fundrais- ing is essential for its survival. A col- lection at Shannon town centre prior to Christmas yielded €4,000, while almost €3,000 was raised by gardai from Clare during their annual cycle for charity earlier this year.
The club held its New Year’s Eve
party in the Creamery Bar last week and the proceeds of the night went to WeCome tUloy
“Local support is important,” said Mr Potter.