THE amazing work of North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, based in Okehampton, has been given a huge boost thanks to two significant grants.

Nearly £40,000 has been donated to the charity to help with its new premises and water rescues.

The organisation has received £25,000 from Okehampton United Charities to assist with the construction of its new centre and was also one of 66 water charities across the UK to receive funding from the Government.

The rescue group has been turning an industrial unit at the Exeter Road Industrial Estate into its new home. The purpose-built centre will have a training room, equipment drying and storage facilities, and vehicle garaging.

Team leader David Stoneman said: ‘The building work is progressing really well. The construction is now complete, electrics are in, we’re just waiting for some quotes for the plumbing.

‘There’s obviously still quite a bit of fitting out to do, like the racking in the storeroom and whiteboards for class room based training.

‘Fortunately, we’ve managed to garage the vehicles overnight in the centre throughout the construction works, which has ensured their security, and we have used the space for some indoor training.

’We’re still optimistic we’ll have most things in place by Easter.’

The Okehampton team was also given the second largest grant in Devon by the Government in its round of funding for water charities.

Water rescue charities across the UK were cumulatively awarded £913,000 by Maritime Minister John Hayes. This is the third round of funding provided under a five year, £5-million scheme, announced as part of the 2014 budget statement. A sum of £14,482.82 was awarded to Okehampton.

The grant supports charities running local lifeboat and rescue services, helping those in danger on and around inland and inshore waterways, including during flooding and other incidents. The money can be used to buy new lifeboats and other equipment such as lifejackets and safety gear.

Maritime Minister John Hayes said: ‘Every day countless volunteers in water rescue charities across our island nation carry out vital work during emergencies, not only around our coasts but also keeping our rivers, lakes and inshore waters safe.

‘It is imperative that we value and support their tireless efforts. I am delighted to be able to announce the latest round of funding, ensuring they have the equipment and resources they need to provide their round-the-clock, lifesaving services.’

An expert panel — including representatives from the devolved administrations, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Royal Yachting Association — assessed applications submitted to the Department for Transport.

They were assessed on the basis of how the equipment or training would be used to support lifesaving, search and rescue operations and flood response capability locally and nationally, whether the funding would deliver wider community benefits and how the equipment and skills would bring sustainable benefits.

Okehampton Town Council has also donated £500 to the group for some high visibility jackets to ensure member safety while searching for people in urban areas or near highways.