FOLLOWING a response to a police request to assist in a search for a 12-year-old boy at Shorne, near Rochester, last Sunday Kent Search and Rescue (Lowland) achieved a notable milestone in the organisation’s history.

The hours given by members in response to that operation saw the total number of man hours searching since the group's formation in 1997 reach 10,000 hours.

Spokeswoman Sue Bedingfield said: "This equates to one person spending five years of their working life searching for vulnerable missing persons.

"We feel proud of this achievement given that it is a voluntary organisation, a registered charity that relies solely on public donation and does not receive any form of central funding, sponsorship or grant.

"Members are required to attend training nights and weekends throughout the year to ensure their competency and skills are maintained at a high level."

"The members’ locations span the depth and breadth of Kent and they have in 2006 responded to searches from Margate to Tunbridge Wells and Dover and St Margaret’s at Cliffe to Meopham.

"This milestone comes rapidly following KSAR’s award three weeks ago of The Certificate of Merit from the west area police commander, Mark Salisbury in recognition for "being instrumental this year in the saving of many lives of vulnerable missing persons".

"The Management Committee of Kent Search and Rescue would like to publicly thank those members, former and current, their families and supporters for the commitment and support given over the last 8 years.

We would like to take this opportunity to also thank those in the community who have supported us and continue to do so, we would like to re-affirm our commitment to those communities and to Kent Police in the future.

For any further information about the group contact Sue Bedingfield on 01843 291697 or visited its website: www.ksar.co.uk