Foyle Search and Rescue pay tribute to volunteers who have 'saved 329 lives and prevented 2,916 suicides'

Foyle Search and Rescue have paid tribute to their volunteers as part of Volunteers' Week from the 1st-7th June.

A spokesperson for the organisation said that their volunteers had 'saved 329 lives and prevented 2,916 suicides' since their formation in 1993.

The spokesperson said: "Foyle Search & Rescue's first volunteers commenced patrolling the banks of the River Foyle in 1993 in response to a total of 28 lives sadly lost.

"All we had was 10p in our pockets to call the emergency services.

"During volunteers week FSR acknowledge the thousands of unpaid volunteers who have passed through our doors and dedicated their time from 1993 to the present day.

"Statistics show that you have saved 329 lives and prevented 2,916 suicides, sadly volunteers have also been responsible for 131 bodies being recovered from the River Foyle enabling closure for the families concerned.

"Our volunteers continue to be the very heart of our charity and carry out interventions, prevention's and post ventions, rescues and recoveries with the continued support of our community.

"In 2017 FSR Volunteers carry out Patrols at recognized high risk periods on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week. Team Leaders dispatch Volunteers in Teams - Jeep, Shore Patrol (walking Crew) & Cycle Patrol. All are supported by a Boat Crew. Duty Teams are supported by a designated Shore Co-ordinator & have a close working relationship with various agencies such as PSNI, Coastguard, NIAS, NIFRS, Lifeline, Samaratains etc."