Wiltshire Search and Rescue will be the official charity partner for Old Town Festival 2019 - now in its 28th year.
Since 1991 the Old Town Festival has been bringing together thousands of people from right across Swindon to celebrate our community, showcase local talent and businesses while raising funds for local charities.
This year the Old Town Festival Committee introduced a new selection process, inviting nominations and applications from charities who support the local community. Over a dozen applications were received and five were progressed to a shortlist. These final five pitched to the committee and, after scoring highest in the secret ballot of committee members, Wiltshire Search and Rescue was named as the official charity partner.
Sarah Church, Chair of the Old Town Festival Committee said: “It was humbling to hear from all the fantastic charities who were on the shortlist. Thank you to everyone who applied and took time to present to the Committee. As a community, we can be very proud of all the important and varied work of these local organisations, and the legions of volunteers who give up so much of their time to support.
“We are delighted that Wiltshire Search and Rescue has been chosen as the official charity partner for the Old Town Festival 2019. This charity provides vital expert support to our emergency services, in complex cases when specialist resources and skills are required. From supporting in missing person cases, to flood rescue teams and even this time last year when the Beast from the East severe weather struck the area, these expert volunteers are on hand to help to ensure that key emergency medical personnel were able to reach their patients. We are looking forward to working with Wiltshire Search and Rescue over the coming months to raise awareness of their vital work and funds for additional equipment for their teams.”
Wiltshire Search and Rescue has around 50 operational volunteers, who are all professionally trained to support the emergency services with vulnerable missing people.
Adrian Edwards, Chair of Wiltshire Search and Rescue added: “Thank you to everyone on the Old Town Festival Committee for appointing us as their official charity partner this year. We are here when our community needs us most, helping the emergency services. Fundraising, recruiting and training volunteers, and raising awareness about our work, are all vital to allow us to save lives. We look forward to joining this year’s festival, and do look out for some of the specialist equipment we will be bringing along!”
The Old Town Festival will run from 9 - 15 June.
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