Land Search and Rescue gets boost from The Lion Foundation

More than 300 New Zealanders were rescued in the last year from caves, cliffs, river corridors and other outdoor areas, thanks to New Zealand Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR). The Lion Foundation is helping continue this vital service by issuing a grant for valuable volunteer equipment.

3,000 trained LandSAR volunteers will be provided with waterproof notebooks for use in the field, thanks to a $9,795 grant from the charitable trust. Volunteers need to record all search and rescue details, often in poor weather, so waterproof notebooks will make that part of the task easier.

Hadyn Smith, CEO of LandSAR is very grateful to The Lion Foundation: “This grant will fund 5,000 notebooks to be distributed nationwide to our volunteers, as well as provided to the New Zealand Police SAR Squad members.

“This is truly something which will benefit every community in the country. The volunteers largely fund themselves and use their own equipment, so being able to provide them with items like the notebooks is hugely beneficial.”

Operating for 24 years and one of the country’s most widely respected community trusts, The Lion Foundation funds a wide range of arts, cultural, sporting, educational and health focused causes, by distributing back to the local community the funds raised through gaming venues around New Zealand.

The Lion Foundation Chief Executive Phil Holden says the charitable trust is proud to support New Zealand Land Search and Rescue.

“Enjoying outdoor pursuits is second nature to New Zealanders, and it’s reassuring to know that, should unforeseen situations arise, there are skilled volunteers on hand to help with search and rescue operations the length and breadth of the country. The Lion Foundation is proud to help these volunteers with equipment they require to help keep New Zealanders safe.”