Mountain Rescue - England and Wales has launched a radical
new idea to help fund the 53 local MRTs in their vital work on the
hills.
BaseCamp is the new National Supporters' Group for
Mountain Rescue - England and Wales and it's now up and running.
The aim is to supplement the money already raised by local MR teams
with a national initiative based on an annual paid membership to the
group.
The idea is that, say, a London-based hillwalker or a climber in
Milton Keynes who visits lots of different mountain areas can support
rescue teams in all of them through BaseCamp.
In return for a £24 annual subscription, supporters
will receive quarterly copies of MR Magazine together with an enamel
supporter's badge and a car sticker to promote their involvement.
They will also be notified of events run by nearby teams, and given
the opportunity to get involved.
The funds raised by BaseCamp will be in addition to those already
generated by local teams through their regular activities - mountain
rescue south of the border is funded entirely by public donations -
and allows rescue supporters to fund all teams equally without having
to pick out an individual team.
"With walking and climbing overtaking fishing as the nation's
biggest participation sport we felt we were missing an opportunity to
organise the support that we rely on, " says Mike France, chair of
Mountain Rescue's National Fundraising group
"Basically, people want to give but we haven't made it easy for
them to do so. In future you'll be able to fill in a form to make an
annual donation or sign up on our website. This way we'll be able to
predict and, hopefully, increase much of our income and tailor our
support for the teams accordingly."
Sounds like a great idea to us. More details - including an on-line sign-up site - once we have them,
but for now, for more information on how to give to Mountain Rescue -
England & Wales, and join BaseCamp please contact: Neil Roden,
telephone: 07050 267434
Email: nationalfundraising@mountain.rescue.org.uk
Or write to BaseCamp, c/o White Cottage, 9 Main Road, Grindleford,
Derbyshire S32 2JN.
Richard G.
