ICE-SAR ‘Rescue Men’ on sale now
In Smáralind shopping centre yesterday. Photo: Eva Björk Ægisdóttir
The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) began its annual fund-raising ‘Rescue Man’ initiative yesterday.
The Rescue Man (‘Neyðarkall’ in Icelandic) is a small key-ring effigy of an ICE-SAR operative – a different one each year. They have now become something of an annual tradition at this time of year with many locals excited to get the next one in the set.
“Thousands of volunteers dedicate themselves to work for the ICE-SAR rescue teams, accident prevention divisions and youth sections,” reads the Association’s website. “Their joint mission is to prevent accidents and save human lives and valuables. In order to fulfil that role there are extensive groups of volunteers always available, night and day, year round.”
Since the initiative was launched, the proceeds from Rescue Man sales have gradually become the Association’s main source of revenue.
Sales were launched this year by Sóley Eiríksdóttir and Jón Svanberg Hjartarson.
Eiríksdóttir was rescued at the age of eleven after nine hours under the snow, when an avalanche hit the Icelandic town of Flateyri (West Fjords) twenty years ago, while Hjartarson was a policeman in the town who coordinated the first operations after the avalanche struck.
Sales began yesterday and will continue until Saturday evening.
Rescue Men are being sold all over the country – in shopping centres, shops, alcohol stores, even door-to-door.
This year's Rescue Man. Photo: Ingvar P. Guðbjörnsson
