CORNWALL Search and Rescue Team members may find their Christmas stockings a little emptier this year as the team's annual 'Equipment Night' at Penrose Outdoors in Truro had to be put on hold when they were called out to a search for a missing North Cornwall man on Bodmin Moor.

Traditionally, the store has opened its doors to the team for a late night shop in December where team members can browse at their leisure and hear talks and demonstrations of latest kit.

On Wednesday, Decem­ber 3, as team members were on their way to the store, they were called off to assist police in locating a man missing from his home near Camelford. He was believed to be out on the moor and his condition, and the cold weather, gave cause for concern.

"Many of our members look forward to the equipment night as a chance to replace and replenish kit and draw up their wish list for Santa ahead of Christmas," explained Paul Miller, the team's Equipment Officer. "However, the nature of our work means that we never know where or when the next callout will come and so we have to be prepared to drop everything and respond."

The team is made up of volunteers from all walks of life who are available 24 hours a day seven days a week — even on Christmas Day — to provide inland search and rescue cover.

This year has proved to be the busiest in the team's short history. The rescue marked the 56th incident to date and was successfully resolved when the missing man appeared at the team's control vehicle.

Team Leader, Jim Gallienne, said "As the team gets busier, and the economic situation worsens, we need the people and businesses of Cornwall to continue to support us in whatever ways they can. Although our running costs are tiny compared to bigger charities, it is getting harder to find the £15,000 we need each year to continue our vital work."

You can find out more about the work of the team by visiting http://www.cornwallsar.org.uk">www.cornwallsar.org.uk or calling 01637 881647.