The supporters club is vital to the team's work

A rescue team has launched a supporters’ club with a cream tea event.

Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton kicked off its dart2ZERO group with a tour of the organisation’s headquarters.

The team said the new club would strengthen links with its existing supporters and hopefully draw in new ones.

The busy team said it frequently needs more volunteers to help with fundraising events vital to its continued operation. Fundraising officer Al Pewsey said: “Our supporters are our life blood and dart2ZERO acknowledges the amazing help individuals, groups and businesses give us each year.

“It also gives those with some time to spare an opportunity to get involved with a search and rescue team without the callout and training commitments, which can put some people off.”

Club chair Ayse Rifat said: “We are very excited about dart2ZERO. It enables us to show our appreciation with club newsletters, access to exclusive competitions and special events organised especially for our supporters.

“For those who have some time to spare and would like to get involved with fundraising, baking a cake or supporting the team in other ways, dart2ZERO will be perfect for them. Club members will even have the opportunity to act as a casualty on team training nights should they wish too.”

The team is part of Dartmoor Rescue Group and covers not just Dartmoor but rural and urban areas across Devon and sometimes further afield It said dart2ZERO will support and raise awareness of the great work the volunteers do.

Anyone interested in joining the supporters’ club can find more details online.