Children from the charities join mountain rescuers and the RAF Sea King crew

Children and families from three charities had a day of adventure thanks to mountain rescuers.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team hosted events for members of Centrepoint, Wellchild and Child Bereavement in the Lake District.

It is the fourth time mountain rescuers have joined forces with the charities, which share with Mountain Rescue England and Wales the Duke of Cambridge as their patrons.

Patterdale MRT was joined by Prince William for the first such day of events three years ago, during which the prince climbed to the top of Helvellyn with Centrepoint members.

Since then, similar activity days have taken place in north Wales and the Peak District.

Keswick MRT arranged the activities with Cockermouth and Penrith teams running each of the action events each, and Duddon and Furness MRT providing transport.

The Keswick team’s chairman Alan Prescott said: “Planning for the event had been underway for over a year, to arrange accommodation and a wide selection of activities suitable for all the different age groups and agilities.

“Despite flooding and torrential rain across most of the country, the weather in Keswick behaved itself, with all the outdoor activities going ahead as planned and the wet weather alternatives kept on standby.

“Events on the day included a morning visit to Derwent Island with a trip around the house and gardens for the children and families of the Wellchild Charity, followed by a choice between a drive to the top of Latrigg in a mountain rescue vehicle or a session at the Calvert Trust adventure centre in the afternoon.

“The children from Centrepoint and Child Bereavement charities each had sessions abseiling and slack-lining and taking up active roles as mountain rescue members in a simulated rescue and evacuation of a casualty.”

A Sea King helicopter from RAF 202 Squadron dropped in on the gathering of almost 100 as they were having lunch at the Derwentwater Hostel and children were able to go aboard the craft at the site where they learnt about its operation from the crew.

Mike Nixon, president of Keswick MRT and the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, presented the children with certificates and goody bags.

Mr Prescott said: “Organising an event like this depends on the commitment, support and hard work of many people.

“The glittering prizes are the faces of the children: awe, excitement, smiles and the sound of laughter. One of life’s priceless occasions.”