Name: Mike Role: Probationary Member, Webmaster Joined SusSAR: Autum 2004

Employment
I’m currently a student at Northbrook College, Worthing - studying Music Technology. My course requires me to be there 3 days a week, so I have plenty of time on my hands. I work at Millets which pays the bills and gives me some pocket money.

Background & Outdoor Experiences
I was born and bred in Brighton and still live there. I enjoy the outdoors and get out as much as I can. I was a member of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts and I am now an Assistant Cub Leader at the group where I learned the skills of scouting! As a group we try to organise as many outdoor activities as we can. I also enjoy walking and go with friends and scouts, across the Downs and I have been to Wales a few times.

Why I joined SusSAR
I joined SusSAR mainly because of my brother. He joined SusSAR when I was 14 and I wanted to join there and then. I realised how essential SusSAR is to the public and Sussex Police and so I sent off my application as soon as I turned 16. I have been attending training sessions and helping out since then, although it is not possible to become an operational member of the Unit until your 18th brithday.

Steps to become operational
Since signing up to the Unit I’ve attended many events to help raise money and awareness of SusSAR. I was also able to attend monthly training sessions, building up experience in searching and friendships within the team. On some training nights, I was required to be a ‘body’ for the rest of the team to find. As a non-operational member of the Unit I have also taken on the job of of designing and maintaining the Unit website and I still attend the training sessions

The time commitment and what I've enjoyed
Being the webmaster, most of the work required of me can be done from home, when I have the time. I enjoy meeting monthly with the rest of the unit as it lets me interact with people I wouldn’t normally have the chance to talk to. It also gives me an excuse to get outdoors at least once a month!