Woody, one of the Surrey search dogs

A rescue organisation is appealing to members of the public to support its search dogs with an annual sponsorship scheme.

Surrey Search & Rescue said families, individuals and companies can chip in with a contribution of £20 a year towards the training and equipment for one of the charity’s eight operational and four trainee dogs.

Communications officer Andy MacAulay said: “A fully qualified search dog can locate a missing person in dense overgrown terrain – over an area of up to 50 acres – within 90 minutes.

“All search and rescue dogs and handlers are unpaid volunteers and give their time, travel expenses and personal equipment for free.”

The dogs and their handlers are on call 24 hours a day to look for missing people in terrain ranging from parkland to dense forest.

Appealing for help: search dog Izzy

Donors to the Sponsor a Dog scheme will get a certificate featuring their sponsored dog, a letter of thanks and regular updates on the animal, along with a subscription to the 642 Search & Rescue online magazine.

Details of the scheme are on Surrey Search & Rescue’s website.