The Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team is to receive a windfall of £7,000 following the death of a North Staffordshire business executive.

IT expert James Gilliver died late last year, less than a year after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

At the time of his death, business associates at Newcastle-under-Lyme companies Bennett Architectural Aluminium Solutions and Castle Comfort Stairlifts had launched fundraising campaigns to support their business friend.

The companies took action to help with plans to fit an external lift at the home James shared with his wife Lisa at Mow Cop.

But James, Director of M and M Technology, Longton, suffered a pulmonary embolism, brought on by health complications linked with MND.

James, aged 62, was well known on the North Staffordshire business scene and had worked in IT for over 30 years, previously as owner and founder of Codesnap.

Outside of work James and Lisa were long term volunteers for Staffordshire Search and Rescue, and this was recognised at his funeral when team members and dogs formed a guard of honour as mourners arrived at Birches Crematorium, in Cheshire.

Lisa said: “James lost his life way too soon, having lived with MND for less than a year. If he had lived, we would have needed an expensive external lift for our home and, shortly before James died, two of the companies he had worked with for many years had begun fundraising.

“I contacted them and asked them to choose where the funds they had raised should go but showing loyalty to James, they decided to help the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team. I will be forever grateful to the staff at Bennett Architectural and Castle Comfort Stairlifts for their incredible support.”

Money donated from mourners at the funeral, and friends of James who couldn’t be there, have been added to reach a total of £7,000.

Jim Rudman, of Staffordshire Search and Rescue, said: “James joined our Search and Rescue team in 2018, having first volunteered as a ‘dogsbody’ — a vital role that he embraced wholeheartedly, helping train our search dogs by hiding in all weathers and terrains with unfailing patience and good humour. That early commitment set the tone for the years that followed.

“From the start, James was someone we could all rely on. Whether it was crawling into brambles to hide for our search dogs, turning up at short notice to support handlers on an operational search, or offering a steady hand and calm voice during a complex tasking — he was always there.

“As his involvement deepened, James took on more responsibility, eventually becoming a Search Planner, Team Leader, and our IT lead He never sought the spotlight but was the backbone of so many successful operations and improvements within the team. His support for the Search Dog Section never wavered. Even as his illness progressed, James remained committed, continuing to attend training sessions and hiding for our dogs for as long as he was able.

“What made James truly special was not just his capability, but his character. Kind, generous, and quietly brilliant — he was always willing to lend a hand, offer advice, or just be a reassuring presence when things were tough. He made us better, as individuals and as a team.

“James embodied the spirit of Search and Rescue: selfless, dedicated, and determined to help others, no matter the cost. We will miss him enormously, but we are grateful for the years we had together, and for all he gave us.

“Rest easy James, we will carry you with us on every call-out. Every search, and every quiet moment on a hill.”

Lionel Bennett, chairman of Bennett Architectural, said: “We had worked with James for many years and when we saw support was needed, we didn’t hesitate to help. Members of our team decided to climb Snowdon, gaining sponsorship to support James.

“Tragically, James only lived for months following his diagnoses and fundraising was ongoing. Lisa asked us to donate funds raised to a charity of our choice, but we knew that James and Lisa had worked tirelessly over several years to support the Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team.

As a result, we decided the money should go to support the search and rescue team, a very worthy cause supporting communities in the county where our company is based.” 

Keith Simpson of Castle Comfort Stairlifts said: “James was a good friend of our business, he looked after our IT since the company was founded, providing a great service. We had raised money to support friends with MND previously and wanted to help. The money was to go towards helping James remain in his home, but James’s death led to a change of direction and we’re very pleased to be able to help an organisation we know meant so much to James.”

ENDS

For media enquiries contact Nigel Howle. Telephone 0776 2043436, email [email protected]