To the editor;
The Search and Rescue community of B.C. and beyond has been mourning the untimely loss of one of its own in the line of duty. On June 29 Sheilah Sweatman, a swiftwater rescue technician with Nelson (B.C.) Search and Rescue drowned while on a search on the Goat River south of Creston. Sheilah had been with Nelson Search and Rescue for two years. Her colleagues there have described her as a very active team member. The volunteers in this province are profoundly saddened by Sheilah’s death and have expressed their deepest sympathy to her family and to her many friends and colleagues.
On July 8 a memorial service to honor this brave woman took place outdoors at Fort Whyte Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sheilah Sweatman’s hometown. A second memorial service on Saturday, July 23 held in Nelson, B.C. drew fellow volunteers from across the country.
A memorial fund has been established at the Fort Whyte Center. This center is dedicated to environmental, educational and outdoor recreational activities, which Sheilah strongly supported. If you would care to contribute by cheque, please make it out to FortWhyte Alive and mail to 1961 McCreary Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3P 2K9, Attention: Agnes Champagne, Director of Development. To make a donation with a credit card, call 1-204-989-8355. In either case indicate that the money is earmarked for the Sheilah Sweatman memorial fund and if you would like a tax receipt. Wells Gray Search and Rescue, Clearwater, will be donating to this very worthwhile fund.
The 2,500 unpaid, professional Search and Rescue volunteers, located in more than 80 B.C. communities selflessly give their time day and night to find and rescue lost persons.
Thank you, Sheilah.
Wells Gray Search and Rescue