Ashburton rescue team secures ’generous donation’ towards vital vehicle
A Devon search and rescue team has received thousands of pounds in funding after being nominated by NFU Mutual staff in Newton Abbot
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton (DSRTA) has received a donation of almost £8000 from NFU Mutual to help fund a replacement vehicle.
The donation of £7,899 was made through the insurer’s Agency Giving Fund, with staff at the NFU’s Newton Abbot agency nominating the volunteer rescue team to receive the money.
DSRTA assists emergency services in searching for lost, missing, injured and vulnerable people, including children and adults living with dementia or experiencing mental health difficulties.
Becky Everitt, fundraising officer at Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team - Ashburton, thanked NFU Mutual Newton Abbot, and said the ‘generous donation’ would help keep the team operational.
“Our team is run by unpaid volunteers and funded by public donations, so the support is going directly towards keeping us operational and able to search for the lost, missing or injured on Dartmoor and wherever we are needed,” she said.
Lucy Thomas, an agent at NFU Mutual’s Newton Abbot agency, said the team had been nominated because of the work it carries out in the local community, describing DSRTA as “a very deserving cause to champion.”
“We’re extremely proud to have nominated Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team - Ashburton for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community,” she said.
Ms Thomas added that the Agency Giving Fund was intended to support local frontline charities providing essential services.
The fund is distributing £2.33 million to charities across the UK in 2026.
It is part of NFU Mutual’s wider £4 million funding pledge for local and national charities this year.
The insurer said all its agencies, which number more than 280 across the country, had been given the opportunity to nominate charities to receive a share of the fund.
Nick Turner, Group Chief Executive at NFU Mutual, commented: “We recognise that these are challenging times, and place great importance on our commitment to being there for our members and making a positive impact in local communities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to NFU Mutual Agents and their teams for the support they give to the Agency Giving Fund.