The Penrith Mountain Rescue Team

A mountain rescue team is looking for public support as it looks to raise more than £½m for a new base.

The Penrith team plans to share a new headquarters with the Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit, which conducts underground operations in the county.

Penrith MRT said planning for a new base is now in full swing.

A spokesperson for the team said it was one of the first in Cumbria to have a purpose-built home but, 23 years on, it has more vehicles, water rescue kit, modern communications systems, and a larger team which means it is running out of space.

It will be the first permanent base for Comru, which currently stores its vehicle at a local lorry park.

The Penrith spokesperson said: “Penrith MRT first formed in1959 and moved to its then purpose-built state of the art headquarters on Tynefield Drive in 1990, but in the ever-changing world of rescue, the team has far outgrown its current home.

“A project has therefore been started to find a suitable piece of land on which to build a modern new mountain rescue base.

“This will give far more capacity for Penrith MRT, as it will have facilities to fit all foreseeable current and future needs and will include proper storage for water-rescue equipment, a drying room, and cleaning and maintenance spaces so that the equipment can be kept ready for deployment at a moment’s notice.

“The relocation project has now completed its early planning stages.

“So far the team and Comru have looked into what they will need and the best possible location.

“They are hoping to remain close to the Kemplay Bank roundabout area, as the junction is key to Penrith MRT and Comru’s hotspots which need rapid access towards Eamont and Lazonby Bridges.

“Access to the M6 is also critical as both teams cover a massive area, the whole of Cumbria for Comru and more than 2,500 sq km area for Penrith MRT.”

Team chairman John Whittle said: “After two years of thinking, talking to others, looking at other bases and planning, we now have the ideal base specification ready for architectural and technical design and this has been shared with the whole team.

“We are also keen to have an adaptable space that will evolve with our needs, and one that may be used by the wider community.

“We are keen to have a building that is resilient in crisis at a location with a capacity that fits well to Cumbria’s resilience planning.

The Penrith team's area includes Cross Fell, the highest point in the Pennines

“We will also have a building with good green credentials so that it is low impact in construction as well as efficient to run and maintain.”

Before the dream can become a reality team members said they will have to raise a substantial amount of money.

The spokesperson said they have been saving for some time and have already received great support. A business plan has been developed, but it relies on continued support from the community and partners to buy or be given a piece of suitable land on which to build the base.

The cost is estimated at £500,000 plus any land purchase costs.

Members of Penrith MRT have to raise around £25,000 each year to maintain the service that they currently provide.

The team said it is fortunate to receive support from a variety of sources: individuals doing sponsored events, major national companies giving large sums towards replacing vehicles, and legions of private donations made by local people, visitors and often those who are rescued.

Penrith MRT said it would not be able to fundraise through street collections without the support of organisations such as Westmorland Services, Eden District Council, Carlisle City Council, Penrith Lions Club, GO Outdoors, and Booths.

“The Penrith team would like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to the public of Cumbria and beyond for always donating what they can and enabling the team to provide the service that they do,” the spokesperson said.

“The team never know what a call from the police may bring; anything from finding and rescuing a casualty high on the fells, through to evacuating people from houses in flooded areas.

Penrith MRT also covers the fells around Haweswater in the East of the Lake District

“In fact, mountain rescue has been involved in almost every large incident in Cumbria over the last few years: train, plane, and bus crashes, flooding, and urban searches.

Peter King deputy leader and member for 16 years said: “I am immensely proud of the work that we do.

“When people see us responding to a call, they expect a volunteer response just as professional as the police, fire or ambulance services would provide.

“To do this as a volunteer group takes a lot of support, which means we not only rely on our family and friends but also upon the tremendous generosity of all who choose to support us. Your donations genuinely save lives.”

More information can be found on the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team website.