Keswick MRT Host Charity Day

© Keswick MRT

On Saturday July 7 Keswick Mountain Rescue Team hosted an event for young folk, bringing together people from several charities.


As the patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) Prince William encourages his charities to work together to promote their work and create opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

For the last four years different regions of Mountain Rescue have organised a day of outdoor activities for young people from several associated charities. This year these included Centrepoint, which provides accommodation services for socially excluded homeless young people; WellChild, which supports children and families in managing the consequences of serious illness; and the Child Bereavement Charity, which supports families affected by the loss of a child or children suffering bereavement.

The Keswick Team were supported on the day by Cockermouth and Penrith Teams who each ran one of the organised events, with Duddon & Furness MRT assisting with transport. Events on the day included a morning visit to Derwent Island with a trip around the house & gardens, a drive to the top of Latrigg in a MR Rescue Vehicle, a session at the Calvert Trust adventure centre, abseiling and slack-lining, and taking up active roles as MR members in a simulated rescue and evacuation of a casualty.

Everyone involved, just short of 100 people, then met up with a Sea King Helicopter and crew from RAF 202 Squadron at Derwentwater Youth Hostel, for a guided tour of the chopper.

David Allan, Chairman of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, said:

'It's a privilege to see mountain rescue team members working with the children and families from these three charities and a delight to see so many happy faces. A huge thank you must go to Keswick Mountain Rescue Team for hosting and organising this year's event – no mean feat, given the consideration of the varied ages and abilities of the participants and the vagaries of the British weather – and thanks also to Penrith, Cockermouth and Duddon and Furness teams for their involvement and support on the day. We're now looking forward to next year's event, which it is proposed will be held in the North East of England.'

Feedback from the kids participating included: 'Abseiling was amazing. I can't believe I did it', 'I really enjoyed going to the Lake District, especially seeing the helicopter' and 'Thank you for a fantastic day' with one WellChild family saying they had 'felt like Royalty all day and would love to do it all over again.'


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