SARAID

Tonight we were delighted to welcome as our Speaker Gary Francis, representing the International Search and Rescue Charity SARAID.

Gary gave us a fascinating talk about the work of the Charity in disaster zones around the world, where a team can be ready to fly anywhere in the world within hours of a disaster occurring. 

As an example, Gary told us about a team from  SARAID, which included himself, that flew out to Turkey in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that occurred earlier this year. They brought with them tons of search and rescue equipment, including sophisticated listening equipment. Being among the first rescue teams  to arrive, Gary's team helped to coordinate the whole operation of searching for survivors beneath the rubble.

Volunteers must always be prepared to travel at short notice, and Gary told us of one occasion when he was at an airport flying out on holiday with his wife and family, when he was called away to help a search and rescue operation elsewhere in the world, leaving his family to go on holiday without him!

The Rotary Club will be making a donation to support the ongoing work of the Charity