Council cash for Mountain Rescue vehicle
25 Mar 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue team has been given a cash boost from Northumberland County Council to help purchase a new 4 wheel drive support vehicle.
The voluntary organisation has been awarded a grant of £10,000 from the council’s community chest fund which is open to community groups, charities and young people in the county.
Funding for the vehicle was also received from the Northumberland Leader programme, donations and fundraising efforts.
Team Leader, Mountain Rescue Iain Nixon said:
“ We are incredibly grateful for this funding. The all terrain vehicle will be equipped with medical and technical rescue equipment and be based in Rothbury, enabling us to respond swiftly to incidents on the moors, hills and crags of Northumberland.”
The team have two other vehicles which are based at Pegswood Fire Station.
The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers and provides a vital service, delivering search and rescue cover for the whole of the Northumbria Police area - a vast and largely remote area encompassing 3000 square miles.
Northumberland County Councillor Nick Oliver, cabinet member for corporate resources said:
“ We are lucky to have such a dedicated team of volunteers who work selflessly day and night to protect our community. Their efforts are immense and were never more evident than during the fierce snow storms last winter during the Beast from the East. During this time the team attended dozens of incidents, battling through severe snow drifts to rescue stranded motorists, transport patients to hospital and support emergency services, undoubtedly saving lives.
“ The group depend on fundraising efforts and we are pleased to be able to support them with this grant.”
Any community group or charity based or operating in Northumberland can apply for funding from the council’s community grant scheme.
Grants are available to help deliver activities that benefit residents and communities. For further information visit: www.northumberland.gov.uk