A Lake District mountain rescue team has been fundraising for a new Land Rover and has handed over its old rescue vehicle to another team.
The News & Star reports that Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, based in Patterdale, south of Ullswater lake, is needing to raise £85,000 to buy and convert a new Defender 110 Land Rover, which is set to replace the team’s Mobile 3 Land Rover after 16 years of faithful service.
However, a spokesperson for the rescue team said that while years is typically the maximum lifespan of such vehicles on the local terrain, the Mobile 3 still has plenty of life left, and is to be donated to rescue teams on Dartmoor.
Mike Childs, Patterdale’s vehicle officer, handed over the keys to Shona Fernyhough and Simon Rhymes of Ashburton MRT. In return, the Dartmoor team has made a much-appreciated contribution to the Patterdale appeal with £15,000 added to the total.
“We hope Mobile 3 serves them as well as it has served us,” said deputy team leader, Matt Cox.
“It was like saying farewell to a long-serving friend and leaves us with just three vehicles at present. We’re hoping to have our New Defender very soon and to see the appeal meet its £85,000 target too.”
The appeal for the new vehicle was launched in summer and has already hit the £40,000 mark. Aside from the donation from Ashburton MRT in exchange for the Mobile 3, Patterdale MRT has received several generous donations and has also produced a best-selling calendar.
The Ullswater Valley 2021 calendar was the idea of photographer Mike Childs and Ann Childs, who is a trustee and fundraiser for the MRT. Past and present team members, trustees, and supporters were invited to submit photographs of Ullswater scenes, which were shortlisted for inclusion in the £10 calendar, the first batch of which sold out quickly.
Patterdale MRT is comprised entirely of volunteers and relies on funding to continue operations, which have included 40 call-outs so far in 2020. For more information and to donate, go to www.mountainrescue.org.uk.
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