The team is appealing to the public to help its appeal. Photo: Hebrides MRT

Scotland’s newest mountain rescue team is appealing to the public to help provide it with a temporary base.

Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team has launched a crowdfunding venture to raise the £15,000 cost of fitting out a portable cabin for its volunteers.

A team spokesperson said: “Up until now the team has been operating out of Stornoway police station. Now we have grown in size, skill and most importantly capabilities, the team requires space of our own. This is where we need your help.

“We would like to raise enough money to buy and convert a Portakabin into an operational command centre. This includes everything from equipment storage area, radio communications and, of course, the kitchen sink.”

The team, which was established in 2014, is on call 365 days a year to go to the aid of the public in the Outer Hebrides. It has set up a Crowdfunder page to raise the money.

The spokesperson said: “With your donations and the success of this project we will help improve the team’s ability to respond to callouts.

“This may help provide vital time that could help save someone’s life. This temporary team base would also offer several other benefits that include providing indoor space for training whether its advanced medical techniques or beginner map reading.

“We hope this has demonstrated the requirement for a team base and hope that we can continue to build the team skills, keeping the people that love the outdoors safe.”

Donations can be made via the Hebrides MRT Crowdfunder website.  Deadline for hitting the target is 16 January.