Coniston MRT's 'Mobile 3', with team members

A mountain rescue team is appealing to walkers and climbers to help it raise cash to replace its fleet of ageing Land Rovers.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team’s oldest vehicle has seen 23 years’ service and its other two ambulances are both 14 years old.

It is looking to replace all three at a cost, after modification for mountain rescue purposes, of £50,000 each.

It has already had donations from businesses and charities, including Samworth Brothers, Henkel, the Sir John Fisher Foundation, the Rawdon-Smith Trust, the Frieda Scott Trust and both Cumberland and Furness Building Societies.

Jeff Carroll of the team said: “The team and the team’s support group continue to plan fundraising events and are in the process of contacting other grant-giving bodies in an effort to replace the vehicles as soon as possible.

“The specific model of Land Rover is being withdrawn in 2011 and hence the requirement is now becoming more urgent.”

Anyone wanting to help the Coniston team raise money can contact it via its website. An online Charity Giving site can also be used to donate.