Back, from left: Neil Roden, Paul Cosgrove and David Allan with, front, Dagmar Johnson and Eddie Harrison

An outdoors brand boosted mountain rescuers’ funds from two years’ sales of a specialist lightweight range.

Cumbria-based Montane handed over £15,000 to Mountain Rescue England and Wales at its Staveley showroom.

The presentation marked the national mountain and cave rescue awareness weekend and was attended by officers from the umbrella organisation and the local team from Kendal.

Montane brand director Paul Cosgrove said: “We have had a connection with mountain rescue throughout our almost 20-year history.

“Then, two years ago, we launched a small range of specialist lightweight clothing at the Outdoor Show in Birmingham, specifically to raise money for MREW.

“That work and range has now resulted in a £15,000 donation and it seemed only fitting to hand over this money to the national mountain rescue organisation as part of its awareness weekend.”

MREW chairman David Allan and colleague Neil Roden were joined by Kendal Mountain Rescue Team leader Eddie Harrison and chair Dagmar Johnson at the handover.

Mr Allan said: “Without this sort of support for volunteer rescue from companies like Montane – in money and in kind with equipment – we wouldn’t be able to function.”

Ms Johnson added: “This kind of national support eases the financial pressure on teams and we welcome it, but we are also eternally grateful to the local people and businesses who have always supported us and continue to provide so much of the financial backing to our volunteers.”

The event also marked the launch of the new Mountain and Cave Rescue Review of the Year, a magazine with news, features and information about all aspects of search and rescue across England and Wales.