One of the avalanche training courses in action

A charity that helps provide avalanche training is appealing to outdoor enthusiasts to sign up for a scheme that collects ‘rounded-up’ payments from purchases.

The Chris Walker Memorial Trust, in common with many charities, is facing challenging times during the coronavirus crisis.

It has joined the Sustainably platform to help it continue its work on mountain safety.

A trust spokesperson said: “Since the inception of the CWMT approximately 400 leaders, instructors and guides have benefited from additional training workshops in Scotland, as well as sharing their knowledge with others.

“We would like to appeal to leaders, instructors and guides, and the wider outdoor community to consider signing up to the new Sustainably app. This new and innovative app allows you to donate automatically by ‘Round Ups’ when making everyday purchases. This allows you to have an impact on the outdoor community every time you shop.

“Simply connect your bank card and Sustainably will calculate your Round Ups from your everyday purchases, like coffees, groceries, or new crampons, as you shop.

“Sustainably will keep track of your Round Ups and every time they reach £5, they’ll donate it to the CWMT.”

About 400 people have so far taken part in the courses

The Chris Walker Memorial Trust was set up to remember mountaineer Chris Walker who died in 2010 when he was taken by an avalanche over steep ground while descending Buachaille Etive Mòr in Glen Coe.

James Thacker, Alan Kimber, Andy Boorman, Ian Boorman, Tim Nicholl, Jason O’Rourke and Beky Wharmby are trustees of the charity.

The trustees said: “The CWMT have always requested donations to support the delivery of avalanche training workshops, and want to thank the outdoor community for their continued support.

“Without additional donations the provision of avalanche awareness workshops, delivered by Forecasters from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, simply wouldn’t be possible.

“In these challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic we all have to consider what expenditure is essential. Although all our workshops were delivered as planned this year, it is inevitable that the way ahead will be challenging for charities and the CWMT is no exception.”

The app is available for both iOS and Android operating systems and can be downloaded from the Sustainably website.