PRESS RELEASE

(Issue 2 July 2012)

Rescue 2020 – An appraisal of Mountain Rescue in the Lake District

Eighteen months ago, LDSAMRA (the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association) commissioned an appraisal of mountain rescue in the Lake District, which was to be called Rescue 2020. The aim was to develop a forward-looking appraisal of mountain rescue in Cumbria based on feedback from team members and partner organisations as a basis for future developments. It followed a similar approach to Rescue 2000, which was carried out in 1992.

The Rescue 2020 appraisal has been undertaken by Bob Sharp PhD FRGS and Archie Roy OBE on behalf LDSAMRA. Bob and Archie are both well qualified to undertake the research and to create such a review with a combined experience in Scottish mountain rescue of over 60 years and backgrounds in research and writing.

The aim of Rescue 2020 was to carry out a comprehensive review of mountain rescue provision in the Lake District and to identify existing good practices, as well as issues for further development. To achieve this aim, two objectives were identified, namely : -

  • To ascertain the views of all members regarding the structure and function of current provision, as well as future provision.
  • To ascertain the views of partner organisations regarding existing provisions, how they believe mountain rescue might operate in the future and what future developments (if any) might impact on the service.

The review has identified nine areas where conclusions could be made and recommendations produced. These range from 'Funding and Insurance' to 'Working with Partners' and will form the basis of work within LDSAMRA and in partnership with other organisations to ensure that those enjoying the Cumbrian mountains can continue to have confidence in a “highly effective, competent and fit for purpose” service. A summary of the recommendations has been published on the LDSAMRA website

“There are some challenges to address,” said LDSAMRA Chairman, Richard Warren, “but also a lot of strengths to build on. The Lake District’s teams will be working on these recommendations over the coming months, in consultation with our various partner organisations in the emergency services and elsewhere. We all want to ensure that the casualties’ best interests are met and we’ll work together to make sure that this continues to happen.”

ENDS

Media enquiries: If you have any questions regarding this review then please direct your enquiries to Richard Warren, LDSAMRA Chairman on 07715 700 324. Further information to download is available at and the full report, Rescue 2020, is available to purchase for £20 (including postage and packing)

Notes to Editors:

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association is a registered charity and is the umbrella organisation for the 12 teams serving the Lake District. Its primary role is to act as a forum for sharing best practice within the region and a focus for mountain rescue communications between the national body and the individual teams. There are approximately 450 unpaid professional volunteer members amongst the 12 teams of Cumbria and the cost of providing the service is through voluntary donations from the general public. All team members freely give up their time to help those in need.

Mountain Rescue (England and Wales) is the national body covering south of the Border. Mountain Rescue Committee (Scotland) is the co-ordinating body for the Scottish mountain rescue teams.

General Facts about Mountain Rescue
  • There are 54 teams with 3,500 team members covering England and Wales (28 teams in Scotland).
  • Team members are on call 24 hrs a day every day of the year
  • All team members are volunteers and do not get paid
  • Majority of team members have day jobs
  • Both men and women are actively involved in mountain rescue
  • Training and rescuing demands a very high commitment from the team members
  • Tremendous support and understanding is necessary from partners, wives, husbands, family and employers
  • Teams are self sufficient but are charities with hardly any external funding
  • Teams need to raise around £30,000 to £80,000 each year to keep going
  • Funding comes from donations and fundraising activities
  • There are over 1,500 rescues each year in England and Wales, around 600 of these are the Lake District
  • A typical rescue may involve up to 20 team members for around 6 hours on average
  • Rescues are split 75% / 25% between trauma & medical / searches
  • Helicopters do assist, but are only called for a relatively small percentage of rescues where urgent air support is required and weather conditions allow

For further details please contact:

Richard Warren - Chairman LDSAMRA

01946 62176 (home)

07715 700 324 (mobile)