Rossendale & Pendle Mountain rescue get new kit thanks to £10,000 funding from society

Yorkshire Building Society's David Marshall with members of the Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue Team

Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue has been kitted out with new medical equipment thanks to a £10,000 donation from Yorkshire Building Society.

Yorkshire Building Society pledged the donation during its 150th anniversary year and Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue was one of 15 chosen by members of the public to receive a £10,000 cash boost from the donation.

Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue have used the money to upgrade medical treatment equipment including splints, medical bags, stretchers and medicine to aid with the search, rescue and immediate treatment of missing or injured people.

Mark Wakeman, Assistant Team Leader for Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue said: “We were thrilled when we were chosen to be funded as part of the Yorkshire Building Society Lasting Legacy Fund. We have spent about 75% of the money so far and kept a bit in reserve for later in the year as a contingency for more medical kit, especially if some is damaged on a rescue.

“We have replaced all the medical bags, upgraded equipment such as new thermometers that don't need to touch the patient to work so are much less invasive, and have new handheld heart rhythm monitors (ECGs). We have even bought a life size skeleton model for training purposes.

"Our border traces a line from Whitefield in the south, heading north east along the M62 beyond Rochdale and Littleborough, before meandering north along the edge of the Pennines towards Earby and the A59. Here it takes a turn south westwards, following the path of the River Ribble past Barnoldswick and Clitheroe until, just short of Preston, it turns south and east, back towards Blackburn, skirting north of Darwen and Bolton and west of Bury, to run parallel to the M66 back down to junction 17 of the M62."

Yorkshire Building Society’s David Marshall said: “We are delighted to be able to support Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue’s efforts in protecting their local communities. The work they undertake in challenging conditions keeping people safe and bringing them home is an inspiration.”

In total, more than 600 charities applied to the Society’s Lasting Legacy Fund before 30 were put forward for a public vote.