Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR), a voluntary team that supports the police in finding missing and vulnerable people, has received backing from a local housebuilder. 

The team has received £1,500 from Barratt David Wilson Homes South West – currently building new homes at Francis Fields in Frome – which will go directly towards the charity's fundraising campaign for a new Search Control Vehicle.

This acts as the command hub during live operations and provides vital shelter and welfare facilities for volunteers during challenging call outs. 

Over the past five years, the charity has responded to 128 incidents, spending 525 hours on operations and contributing an impressive 6,030 rescuer-hours on callouts.

While the cost of each individual rescue varies greatly, the charity requires around £20,000 a year to remain operational and ready to respond when needed. 

Jim Hardcastle, team leader at ASSAR, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Barratt David Wilson Homes South West for their support.

"Funding a new Search Control Vehicle is a huge priority for us – it's our mobile base during incidents and key to coordinating safe and effective searches, especially in poor weather. Vital donations like this mean we can continue to serve the local community." 

Entirely volunteer-run and 100% reliant on donations, ASSAR provides essential support to emergency services across Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The team's need for funding has become even more critical as public donations fall and emergency services face growing pressure. 

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, added: "We're proud to support this charity and hope this donation brings them a step closer to securing their much-needed new command vehicle. With emergency services under increasing strain, volunteer teams like ASSAR are more essential than ever and we're pleased to play a small part in helping this dedicated team continue their vital, life-saving work." 

Francis Fields at The Mount features a mix of 118, two, three and four bedroom homes on Frome's southern edge. Properties are built to Part L standards for improved energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions, helping residents save on bills. Eco-friendly features include solar panels, EV charging points, and water- and energy-saving appliances, reducing daily consumption by up to 26% per person. 

Francis Fields at Keyford promotes sustainable living with easy cycling access to Frome and local schools, plus travel vouchers to encourage public transport use. The development will deliver 30% affordable housing and over £1.6m in contributions to education, highways, and sustainable travel. It also includes biodiversity measures such as hedgehog highways, swift bricks, and preserved hedgerows to support local wildlife, including rare bat species. 

Somer Meadows a joint development between Barratt David Wilson Homes South West and Barratt Homes Bristol, will launch soon in a prime location between Midsomer Norton and Shepton Mallet.