One of Dorset’s top manufacturing companies has donated a large consignment of face masks to a volunteer group which helps in the search, rescue and recovery of missing people.

BOFA International arranged a delivery of 200 protective face masks to Dorset Search & Rescue (DorSAR).

It came after Geoff Sager, Business Development Manager, pictured left, proposed the team for one of the company’s PPE donations to local good causes.

The highly trained volunteers, who work with the police, coastguard and other emergency services. are unpaid with DorSAR entirely funded by charitable grants and donations.

Current Covid-19 restrictions mean DorSAR teams are operating in emergency situations where social distancing may not always be possible.

As a result the need for PPE has become even more critical.

Geoff said: “DorSAR is one of those essential voluntary organisations that often slips under the radar of donations and fundraising.

“Their profile has been helped massively this year with their adoption by AFC Bournemouth as a charity partner, which has been a real boost.

“They are an organisation that I’ve supported for some time and I was really pleased that BOFA kindly agreed to donate some of the PPE from our Covid-19 community support campaign to their cause.”

Tom Bryant, DorSAR Chairman, said: “We receive no government funding at all and need to provide all of our own safety equipment from donations or fundraising, so to be recognised by a local business in this way is very much appreciated.”

Last year it cost £31,852 to cover DorSAR’s operational costs.

The team spent 3,188 hours on live callouts and searches for vulnerable people missing in the county.