CVSRT are extremely happy to announce that the team has received a very generous donation of £5000 from SSP, a leading insurance software provider, whose head office is based at Dean Clough Mill, Halifax.

This substantial sum is part of an incredible £20,000 going towards efforts to help local people and businesses affected by the recent Boxing Day floods in Calderdale.

Many SSP employees have been directly impacted by the recent floods, and Mr Laurence Walker, Chief Executive at SSP, was keen to find ways to support them and other local people as well as local businesses.

“When a local tragedy like this happens, it affects everyone who lives and works here. Many people have been flooded out of their homes or businesses, and we can all help and support the amazing work of local groups who are working hard to put right the damage”, said Mr Walker.

Earlier this week, CVSRT members, Mick Smith and Richard Smith visited the SSP head office to demonstrate some of the teams existing water rescue equipment and to gratefully receive the cheque from Mr Walker.

CVSRT Mick Smith said, “CVSRT currently has 8 specially trained Swiftwater Rescue Technicians (SRT’s) who were deployed to assist during the recent floods in Cumbria, York and the Calder Valley. It is our intention to increase the teams capability, with more members becoming equipped and qualified. On behalf of all at CVSRT, may I thank Mr Walker and SSP for their very generous donation, which will go directly towards achieving this training and equipment”.

Altogether, Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team received £5,000 to purchase new water rescue equipment, Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFfC) received a £10,000 donation (which included £5,000 government match-funding); and the further £5,000 has been allocated to donate to a local business support fund. Several SSP staff members have also been granted fully paid time off work to volunteer with some of the many local flood response groups.