Category Archives: Team news
BHCT celebrate 7 years saving lives
On the 8th August 2011 we celebrated our 7th birthday. During our 7th year we attended 753 searches resulting in the rescue of 275 despondent people. There were also a further 20 persons dealt with by the emergency services as a result of these searches but without direct involvement in their rescue by us.
We were called to 473 searches for missing people by Sussex Police and 8 searches by HM Coastguard. Members of the public reported 50 incidents to us and we were called to a further 12 incidents by Pub staff at Beachy Head and Birling Gap. The Frontline proactive team came across a further 210 incidents during proactive patrols.
All this means that over the past 7 years Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team has been called to an amazing 4194 searches resulting in the rescue of an astounding 1468 despondent people.
Easter Sunday sunrise service
Join us this Easter Sunday for a sunrise service at Beachy Head in conjunction with The Church of the Way. Come and celebrate with us the resurrection of Jesus Christ whose substitutionary sacrifice brought us salvation. We meet at 06.30 near the memorials just east of the Beachy Head Pub, opposite the main car park.
2010 in review
I want to begin by thanking all of you who have supported the work of BHCT during 2010. From our small number of volunteers and employees within the Frontline, Aftercare, Prayer and Admin teams, to our many supporters across the UK, your teamwork has impacted many lives for the better.
2010 was another busy year for BHCT. The team were involved in 767 searches and incidents which resulted in the rescue of 279 persons who were despondent. These figures fall just short of the 2009 record figures only because of the severe weather of January and December 2010 which made Beachy Head largely inaccessible for a total of almost 3 weeks and subsequently reduced the number of despondent persons arriving in the area. In addition to the 279 despondent persons who were rescued during the year, the team also rescued 2 persons suffering from dementia and assisted in 6 medical incidents (not despondent related). In addition a further 15 despondent persons were rescued by the Emergency Services during the year as a result of the searches above but were not dealt with directly by BHCT.
BHCT were called to 486 searches by Sussex Police and 6 searches by HM Coastguard. We were informed of 50 searches and incidents by members of the public and 17 by the Beachy Head pub. In addition the Frontline team came across a further 208 incidents as a result of proactive patrols.
Sadly, there were also a significant number of deaths from the cliffs during the year. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have lost loved ones.
Over the past 6 years I have been continually amazed at the dedication of our volunteer teams and 2010 has been no exception. Many of our volunteers have given well in excess of 300 hours service to the team in the last year alone and have enabled us to provide more than 5500 hours of proactive patrols. Their dedication really has saved lives!
As we move into 2011 every indication is that things are only going to get busier. To face this challenge, BHCT has begun to implement a long term plan in order to strengthen the team and equip it to save more lives. This present phase which began in November 2010 will continue through 2011 and will include changes to staffing levels and the purchase of new equipment. To implement this expansion, a 3 year business plan was agreed after much prayer, which includes a more comprehensive fundraising strategy for the team. Our aim, as always, is to build on the successes of the past and to see more lives saved in the future. Thank you for your continued support!
Wishing you every blessing for 2011
Ross Hardy
BHCT Director
2010 so far….
So far during 2010, Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team have been involved in 721 searches and incidents which have resulted in the rescue of 257 people who were despondent. (January – November 2010) Thank you to all of you whose support has helped save so many lives!
BHCT remains fully operational in the snow thanks to you!
During recent snowy weather BHCT has remained fully operational and able to respond to incidents at Beachy Head thanks to your support. Our 4×4 vehicles have enabled us to not only keep responding to emergency calls, but have also helped us assist other emergency services in their response during the severe weather. None of this would be possible except for your generosity, so on behalf of those you have helped us to reach, thank you!!
Team training
On the 9th October we held one of our regular Frontline team training days. During the day, the team had an expanded training session on Search Techniques, trained in the use of the new Thermal Imagers, and discussed the exciting future development of the team. The day ended with a Call out which thankfully turned out to be a false alarm.
The new trainees are just beginning the second week of the 10 weeks of basic training with a very positive time being had by all.
New downloads and pictures on the website
We have added a downloads page on the Website, where you can download recent copies of our quarterly newsletter “Beachy Head Chaplain”, download BHCT information leaflets and also download Monthly Partner and Gift Aid forms.
We have also added some new pictures to our photo gallery
2010 so far…
So far during 2010, Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team have been involved in 594 searches and incidents which has resulted in the rescue of 220 people who were despondent. (January – September 2010) Thank you to all of you whose support has helped save so many lives!
Fancy volunteering for BHCT during the daytime?
We have 12 days left until the next Basic training course for BHCT. We are still accepting applications for volunteers, particularly to cover daytime patrols. Do you feel the calling of God to apply? Patrol hours are for the morning 0900-1400, and for the afternoon 1400-1900. We are particularly looking for people for Satuday and Sunday, although any day of the week is possible. All daytime volunteers will work as part of a team. There are also opportunities for evening volunteers too. As part of a Christian Chaplaincy, you will need to have been a Christian for at least a year and be a member of a local church. We will require a reference from your minister.
For more information or for an application pack, please ring us on 01323 504422 or write / email us (contact us). For an application pack please leave us your address and we will send one out to you straight away. Training starts on the evening of Tuesday 5th October, 1900-2130, and continues for the following 9 tuesdays. In addition there will be 1 Saturday daytime training at Beachy Head. If some of the training dates are difficult for you but you still feel the calling of God to apply, please contact us and we can discuss other options.
Thermal imagers
Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team recently received a gift of two termal imagers from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. The two units, which were in operational use on appliances until recently, are ideal for searching some of the scrub areas of downland and alongside pathways for missing persons. The cameras have already been put to use during a number of searches with the team here. We are very thankful to ESFRS for their support of BHCT. We hope to add to the capability of these two cameras later in the year with the addition of a long range Thermal Imaging Unit.
