Moira emergency response charity receives grant to enhance remote communications
Skywatch NI, the drone-based search, rescue and emergency support charity which provides a volunteer-led service across Northern Ireland, has received a £5,000 grant from SPAR NI.
The grant will allow the charity to install reliable satellite communications capability in three Skywatch NI volunteer emergency response vehicles.
It will allow volunteers to maintain reliable internet access in rural, coastal and remote areas where mobile phone coverage is limited or unavailable, which is essential for live drone operations, real-time sharing of images and coordinates, access to mapping and search tools, alongside effective coordination with emergency services on scene.
The Community Cashback Grant sees SPAR NI distribute £20,000 to charities and community organisations across Northern Ireland each year, and has awarded £140,000 since 2020.
Bethany Priestly from SPAR NI commented: “Skywatch NI is a volunteer led organisation that provides vital support for search and rescue operations taking place in our local communities.
" People are what make our communities and their contribution to keeping our communities safe makes them so deserving of this grant as part of our Community Cashback Grant.”
Ben Thompson, Funding Officer, Sky Watch NI added: “Everyone at Sky Watch NI is absolutely delighted to receive support through the SPAR Community Cashback Grant.
"As a volunteer-led search and rescue charity, this funding will help us continue providing vital assistance to emergency services, statutory agencies, and families across Northern Ireland during searches for vulnerable missing people.
“Community support is at the heart of everything we do, and we are incredibly grateful to Henderson Group and local shoppers for choosing to invest in organisations that make a real difference.
"This grant will help us strengthen our operational capability and ensure our volunteers can continue delivering this life-saving service when communities need it most."
Skywatch NI is one of five organisations and charities to receive grants as part of the initiative. Plough On, the Cookstown-based charity which delivers projects to support older farmers living in isolation and experiencing loneliness received £10,000.
Meanwhile, Accidental Theatre, K9 Search & Rescue NI, The Road Ahead NI, Together 21 Northern Ireland and Include Youth’s Give and Take programme each received £1,000.
Over 400 organisations applied for this year’s Community Cashback Grant, which is now in its seventh year, and has now distributed £140,000 to 60 organisations since 2020.