Annual Report 2015
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Mountain in England annd Wadles Cave Rescue Review of the year 2 £ : n o i t a n o D d e t s e g g u S . 5 1 0 2 l i r p A d e h s i l b u P 0 2 F o H o f R C r H e a T w h m o e b r D d r u i d k e g e Main shot: Swaledale vehicles at work © Swaledale MRT. Top: HRH The Duke of Cambridge courtesy of Kensington Palace. 0 3 04 Being a totally voluntary organisation coming to an end and, as from April is very important to everybody involved 2015, search and rescue helicopters in mountain rescue and we all work for the United Kingdom will be hard to protect and continue this. provided by Bristow. Mountain rescue Each member joins to get out on has spent hundreds of hours with an the hill and help fellow walkers and intensive training programme getting climbers if they get into difficulties. But, up to speed with the new aircraft. at team level, a s the organisation There are many recent changes in changes, as much time can be spent all aspects of our work. As recognition doing administration to run the team of the work carried out by mountain Requests for assistance and training to maintain skills, as is spent rescue, the Government is offering VAT from mountain and cave out on the hill. relief which will be a great help to rescue continue to rise. At national level, many of the many teams. The support for training management team and specialist through Libor funding (bankers fines) And financial constraints officers spend huge chunks of the enables the continuation of training to on statutory services week doing administration, driving the high standard expected. To provide mean that supporting the around the country to meetings with the service expected of us, costs both Ambulance Service government, statutory services and teams and the national body more during winter months has potential funders, just to keep the money than can be raised from ‘can organisation running. It is becoming rattling’. These offers of support have become the ‘norm’ for clear that, certainly at national level, to be welcomed, even by a voluntary many teams. Despite the volunteers are needed for their specific organisation. reduction in police air business skills and this could mean The outdoors has become easier to support and the loss of that in the future some roles may be access with better clothing, electronic undertaken by people without a mapping and apps on mobile phones. the immediate search mountain rescue background. However, it is important not to lose sight facility, for people lost or The organisation is going through a of the fact that some personal skills injured in the moorlands lot of change to satisfy governance are also needed because, no matter and mountains, or stipulations but the main role of search how well planned, it can still go wrong. and rescue remains the same. Despite all today’s challenges of despondents missing in One of the big changes to be running a totally voluntary but urban areas of England aware of, when out and about in the professional organisation, the free and Wales, mountain mountains and moorlands, will be the insurance for all is that a mountain rescue will always be red and white Bristow helicopters. The rescue team is never far away to excellent service provided by both the come to your assistance. there for them. Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy is 05 Main shot: Care amongst the bluebells. Calder Valley team members at Hardcastle Crags © Mountain and Cave Awareness Princes’ Charities Forum Day: Hanners www.hanrahanphotography.co.uk. Weekend: This annual event takes place 26/27 June: This MREW event is hosted Inset: Keswick team call-out to Carlside © Keswick across England and Wales every May Bank by North Wales this year, with young people MRT. Top: Getting to know the new helicopters Chairman Holiday weekend – a great opportunity to and families from WellChild, Child © Simeon Leech. get to know and support your local team. Bereavement and Centrepoint charities Front cover: Woodland rescue © Calder Valley SRT. joining in the fun. The Annual Review is designed by Judy Whiteside, written and edited by Judy Whiteside and Sally Mike France Seed, with contributions attributed where applicable. Key Dates Copyright for images belongs to the individual photographer as credited. Equipping a team member: the c ost s Teams work hard to raise sufficient funds to provide the We can’t do any of it necessary fit-for-purpose kit for their members, including This year’s facts without your help... warm, waterproof clothing, comms equipment, bigger 06 Mountain and cave rescue, whether it’s at team or items such as vehicles, and regional level or nationally, simply couldn’t continue as their rescue base buildings. That said, the majority of team and figures the voluntary service it is, without the generosity of the members wear and carry a public and our various sponsors, and the continued combination of essentials support of key manufacturers and suppliers. supplied by their team, and their own gear. The decrease in the four key measures of mountain Each of our team members gives Bear in mind that team incidents has continued for a fourth year, although the many hours of their time to help their members must be prepared communities and those in need. They do to be out there for many hours number of fatalities has risen again – albeit not to the it without question. They do it voluntarily. — or may be called to two or previous high – as has the total of people assisted. When the pager calls, they’re off, often three incidents within the same regardless of what they’re doing or who day, often in dreadful they’re doing it with. Speak to any child, conditions. Mountain spouse or workmate of any mountain And with the clothing (and rescuer and the stories are the same — spares), the rucksack full of Despite the continuing downward scrambling incidents. It seems inevitable children’s birthdays, anniversary suppers, personal first aid kit, maps and trend, however, in the third quarter (July that the continuing popularity of mountain Christmas dinners, copy deadlines, compass, torch, headlamp to September) of 2014, the total number biking as a sport will ensure that this business meetings... abandoned in an and batteries, notepad and of incidents was the highest on record. number of accidents will be seen for instant. pen, radio, pager and mobile A mild and settled start to the year years to come and may well increase. And they also put in hundreds more phone, the grand total for produced fewer incidents. Likewise, the This year has seen a significant hours, tending to rescue kit and team each team member is not far end of the year was quiet. increase in incidents involving fell runners vehicles, making sure the bills are paid shy of £2000 — which we think In spite of the annual figure being — a 35% increase over the 2013 level and fulfilling paperwork, maintaining you’ll agree is a huge low, this masks a dramatic spike in the which was fairly high in its own right readiness for the next shout. commitment in personal and summer months. compared to the previous three years. Yet, despite all this, they still need to team finances. The year saw a welcome reduction in The nature of the sport, being light- put in thousands of hours just to raise mountain bike incidents but these still weight and solitary, means the level of sufficient funds to keep their teams in exceed rock climbing incidents and risk is considerably higher than hill walking. operation — collection boxes, raffles, events, personal challenges... even more time away from work and home. All of this is free of charge to the casualty. And our team members’ time A summary of the last five years’ mountain incidents and is given freely too — and long may that accidents in England and Wales. be so. So we’d like to say ‘thank you’ to Langdale Ambleside rescue in Far Easdale all our supporters, sponsors and fundraisers Year Incidents Fatalities Injured Persons © Langdale Ambleside MRT. assisted — we couldn’t do it without you! 2014 1043 29 640 1281 Stay safe, and thank you. 2013 1011 22 624 1179 2012 1073 30 632 1292 20 11 1078 33 671 1318 Non-mountain 20 10 111 8 53 658 1394 How can you support us ? All regions report a large commitment to searching for missing persons. These There are also a number of ways you — even a small gift can make a big sponsorship. You’ll be providing funds A summary of the last five years’ non-mountain incidents and are often protracted, often over multiple can support nationally. difference. And it’s the surest way to and raising awareness. It might seem fund the equipment and training for the daunting but, with lots of enthusiasm, accidents in England and Wales. days and all demand good cooperation Read our books or buy your years to come as gifts are exempt from commitment and support, you will find Year Incidents Fatalities Injured Persons between the agencies involved. very own miniature Land Rover. inheritance tax, capital gains tax and the experience enjoyable and very assisted The support provided by mountain Or a teddy or a badge, or a car sticker. 07 income tax, so the charity receives the rewarding. 2014 398 29 87 289 rescue to the ambulance service has Whatever takes your fancy.