I lead Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire's drone unit and I am using the opportunity of my 50th birthday to raise funds in aid of Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire. The raised funds are to be used for a new drone to replace our existing, ageing ones. We are hoping to buy a DJI M30T - the "go to drone" of most UK emergency and rescue services, including Lowland Rescue, Mountain Rescue and police forces. The M30T enhances our ability to fly at night time (using thermal imaging) and thanks to its IP rating allows us to fly in the rain (something we currently cannot do).

Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire is a team of professional volunteers on call 24/7 to search for high risk vulnerable missing people, support the emergency services, and support Oxfordshire’s vital public services in extreme circumstances.

Every 90 seconds somebody is reported missing to Police Forces across the United Kingdom. Each missing person report is somebody’s parent, child, sibling, partner or friend. Some of these people - due to their health, state of mind, or age are at risk.

We assist Thames Valley Police to find these people, bring them to safety and reunite them with their loved ones.

Because of our training, the equipment and professional skill we have available, we often help our community in other ways.

The drone unit is - alongside our water/boat team, dog team and medical team - a specialist asset LRO can deploy alongside our foot search teams.

Thank you for supporting this fundraiser.

Stefan