The GPS units will be used by Sarda dogsbodies, who lie out on the hills in all weathers

Donations made in memory of two climbers who died in an avalanche on the Mont Blanc range have been used to buy safety equipment for volunteers who help England’s search and rescue dog handlers.

John Taylor and his mountaineering companion Steve Barber were killed in July on Mont Maudit in an incident which also claimed the lives of Mountain Guide Roger Payne and six others.

Supporters and members of the public raised more than £2,000 in memory of the two men and the Search and Rescue Dogs Association, for which Mr Taylor acted as a ‘dogsbody’ has bought four mapping-enabled GPS units with the cash.

The association has also bought four extra units from its own funds for the volunteers to use when on the hills during training sessions.

The dogsbodies act as casualties during the Sarda exercises, hiding in the countryside as targets for the search dogs and their handlers to find.

A spokesperson for Sarda England said: “Our handlers and bodies were both shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic accident in the Alps which took John Taylor and Steve Barber from their loved ones.

“While many are still coming to terms with their loss we feel it is important to publicly acknowledge the terrific support shown by their friends and relatives by raising a sum totalling over £2,000 arising from the collection and donations made the memory of John and Steve.

“Sarda handlers and its dogs are dedicated to saving the lives of the missing and vulnerable, predominantly in mountainous and upland areas.

“The work we do would not be possible without the unfaltering and extremely dedicated support from our volunteer ‘bodies’ who not only lie out at all times of the year, and in most hostile of weather conditions, but travel long distances often at their own expense.

“John was an experienced and dedicated Sarda body and in his and Steve’s memory the donation is being used to ensure that our bodies are well equipped and safe on the mountains in all conditions.”

The Satmap units will be used by Sarda England dogsbodies to navigate in harsh weather conditions on the mountains and uplands during training.