Wasdale MRT in action on an earlier rescue
Mountain rescuers today thanked competitors and supporters from the Original Mountain Marathon for swelling teams’ coffers by more than £6,000
Richard Warren, chairman of the umbrella organisation for the Lake District’s 12 mountain rescue teams, also thanked donors for comments accompanying their gifts. The move follows widespread criticism in the mainstream media of the event’s organisers and some hyperbole from others in the area.
Mr Warren, who chairs the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association said: “The LDSAMRA would like to publicly thank all the Original Mountain Marathon competitors past and present and supporters who have donated so generously through the justgiving.com website to demonstrate their support for the work of the voluntary mountain rescue teams in the Lake District, not only over the weekend of this year’s OMM event but also throughout the year.
“At the time of writing 188 competitors and supporters had donated £4,925 which, with Gift Aid added amounts to £6,250.
“There has been a lot of criticism related to this year’s OMM and it is good to be able to acknowledge an extremely positive outcome. The comments from the donors on the justgiving website are very much appreciated.”
The site had set a target of raising £5,000. At the time of writing this story, it had just passed its target, with donations still flooding in.
Richard Warren
Runner Jez Stemp’s comments are typical of many. Despite not needing the MRTs’ services, he said: “Upmost respect for you guys – a fantastic service. Keep up the good work, it really is appreciated.”
A donor with the pseudonym Aching Legs said: “Best service in the world!”
Almost all of the donors said they had not needed the mountain rescue teams’ services.
Mr Warren said it would be good if the amount could be doubled to £12,000 – a thousand pounds for each of the teams – most of whom, he said, were out rescuing people at the weekend. He pointed out: “Many of those we rescued were not involved in the OMM.”
Earlier this week, Cumbria’s public health director Prof John Ashton said OMM organisers should pay what he described as the ‘enormous’ cost of the rescue effort. British mountain rescue teams have never charged for their services.
grough readers wanting to move the total closer to the £12,000 target can contribute via the OMM Just Giving website.
Over £6,000 raised « blogpackinglight
30 October 2008[...] OK, I said I wouldn’t mention it again, but I thought it worth pointing out that OMM competitors had raised over £6,000 for the Lake District mountain rescue teams. How about chipping in a tenner [...]
Richard Warren
30 October 2008Hi Bob - well done on getting it publicised - not sure about the picture though
Keep up the good work
Richard
derek thomas
31 October 2008Hi
I have just visited the "just giving website" and i would suggest any MRT member who is not convinced just how much their efforts are valued and appreciated, visit the site and see for youselves the amount of respect people have for you and the appreciation for what you do.
Unfortunatly i am laid up for a while after a bad fall otherwise i would have been in the lakes last weekend enjoying the challenging conditions, and like the 2500 OMM competitors, i would have been equipped for the conditions. and i would have been competent to face those conditions, knowing i had the experience and common sense to decide whether to carry on or head for shelter, i also would have known that should i have got into serious trouble i could rely on a team of highly professional volunteers, who would willingly give up their valuable time and come to my aid, and do all this for FREE, enjoy the adulation, it is well deserved, and remember the old adage "there is no such thing as bad publicity".
I was very fortunate to see up close the excellent work you MRT guy's do when last year 5th nov i stumbled across a collapsed walker near the head of piers ghyll, wasdale MRT attended and were incredibly professional in dealing with the situation, keep up the fantastic work, thank you.
Derek
The Piglit
01 November 2008You know if the (w)hole country was run like this - nobody minds giving nobody minds helping and nobody gets left out - we'd have nowt to worry about.