Mark Yates is a supporter of Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue (NORLSAR) and Edale Mountain Rescue.
Between the 31st August and 14th September, I will be walking non stop the Peddars way Norfolk Costal Path, Weavers way and the Angles way, a total of 228 miles.

I will be carrying all of my own kit and will have very limited support. At the start I will walk with NORLSAR's search manager and the first weekend other Norlsar members may join me to walk. However from then on I will walk alone and unless there is an emergency I will not have any daily support. I will also not be taking out any money from the fundraising to fund expenses such as campsite costs, food or equipment, I will fund this myself.

The purpose of the walk is to increase awareness of the two organisations and to raise money to help fund their activities. Both organisations are on call 24 hours a day, any weather and totally staffed by volunteers. Neither receives statutory funding. NORLSAR are involved in finding missing vulnerable people particularly those with Alzheimer's and mental health issues, Edale Mountain Rescue will rescue anyone in need within their area.

Please support me by visiting www.charitygiving.co.uk/norlsar-edale and donate on line, if you wish to send me a cheque (payable to NORLSAR) please send to NORLSAR, P.O. Box 3138, Norwich, NR7 0ZE with a letter confirming that you are a UK taxpayer for gift aid which will give us a extra 28% for the money you are donating.

Thanks

Mark Yates

TAVERHAM LAKES CALL OUT

Thank you to all who were able to attend the call out at Taverham lakes for a missing elderly male who did not return home following a bicycle ride last nightt. If you were not aware we were called out on 31/07/10.

We met at 11.00 and joined police (Polsar Dave Thomas and police dog and handler PC Bryce) and USAR (who attended with a rib and two fire engines in support and their urban search dog).
This search was very significant for us as it was the first time we have deployed the canoes led by Gael and Paul S. It was very important that we only deployed qualified canoeists and one of our big strengths is the fact we can call on the various skills of our members. Stephen joined us shortly after the search started and assisted in ferrying the police dog handler to the other side of one of the lakes (the dog swam alongside) and then Dave T to get a view of the area from the middle of the lake. 3 canoes were used throughout the day.

The safety issues were not insignificant with deep fast flowing water and heavy reed beds and thank you to all for their help and a real team approach to organising ourselves. We had a canoe team and two bank search teams with Deborah in control. We took things slowly as this was not an emergency but a carefully planned search considering all the safety issues.
We were stood down at 16.00 as there was nothing left we could do and the search continues tomorrow for the Dive Team with no further input from Norlsar. We had some very positive feedback from the police and it was said that in view of the fact Norlsar is a voluntary service and free to the police it is likely that we will be called out more frequently in the future.

Please can all those who attended let Stephen have time and mileage details.

Deborah Steel, NORLSAR Search Controler

Added 30/07/10

HELP FROM TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED

We have got a couple of talks/shows coming up in the next couple of months that we need as many members as possible to help at.
We are visiting Catton Scouts on Wednesday 23rd June in the evening, there will be about 50 scouts so we will need a few members to help out, we have got use of the field so will probably put on a small search scenario for them to do as well as tell them what we do.

We are at Sainsburys Great Yarmouth again for a can shake on Saturday 24th July. Please can you let me know what time you can do on the day even it is just for a couple of hours. We will be there between 10.00 and 16.00

Regards,

Eleanor (Secretary)

Added 26/05/10

Brandisham Parish Meeting
Drayton PC
Long Stratton PC
Buxton with Lamas PC
Ludham PC
Stradsett PC
Spixworth PC
Salhouse PC
Stalham
Hillington PC
Wells-next-the-sea TC
Strumpshaw PC
Crimplesham Parish Council
Leziate PC
Heacham PC
Terrington St John PC
Forncett PCM
Cromer
Swanfield & Bradfield PC
Taverham
Beightton PC
Moulton St Mary PC
Longham PC