Islander parts save lives

Blue Islands have donated spare parts from the recently sold Britten Norman Islander aircraft to the Air Search organisation, who use same aircraft for their search and rescue service.

The parts are valued at around £2000, but rather than selling them, the airline wanted to support the local organisation. Rob Veron, managing director of Blue Islands is thrilled to give this essential equipment for such a worthy cause.

Channel Islands Air Search provides an admirable lifesaving service, so it is important that support is given to the organisation. The CIAS is funded purely by donations and I'm thrilled to know that we have contributed to the significant cost associated with providing this essential service to our islands.

The CIAS are known as the "eyes in the sky". They are unique as they are the only voluntary organisation to maintain a specially equipped aircraft, flown by an all-volunteer crew, on 24 hour standby 365 days a year with the sole purpose of aiding those in danger on both land and sea.

This costs approximately £90,000 a year to operate, which includes its maintenance, running costs, insurance and equipment. The organisation is financed almost entirely by funds raised by the Friends of Air Search in all the Channel Islands on a voluntary basis.

Colin Ferbrache, chief officer of CIAS, accepted the donation on the organisation's behalf.

We are delighted to accept such generous gifts from Blue Islands. These spare parts ensure continuous availability of the aircraft, which is essential for a rapid response service. Maintenance is a costly business in aviation so this donation is hugely valuable to the service for ensuring the aircraft is available at all times. This generous donation of aircraft parts will greatly help the operation over the coming year. My most sincere thanks to Blue Islands.

For more information about the work of the CIAS, visit www.ci-airsearch.com