Half the cash will go towards Patterdale MRT's new vehicle appeal
An auction organised around the online premiere of Terry Abraham’s latest film raised almost £2,500 for two charities.
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and the Friends of the Lake District will share the cash donated by successful bidders for several unique lots.
The event was launched to coincide with the celebrated film-maker’s release of his final Lakeland trilogy Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn.
Money raised will go towards the rescue team’s appeal for a new Land Rover Defender and will be used by the Friends for a scheme to provide support for emergency service workers.
Patterdale MRT will next year host one of the successful bidders for an exclusive VIP tour of its base, providing an insight into the work of one of the Lake District’s busiest mountain rescue teams.
The Friends will use the money for their Sanctuary project
Friends of the Lake District are providing a lasting legacy for another successful bidder by planting a landscape tree in Mike’s Wood overlooking the village of Staveley in the Lake District national park, one of a number of woods owned and managed by the landscape charity.
Chairman of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Association Chris Sanderson said: “The money raised from the auction contributed to our successful new Land Rover Defender appeal and we are immensely grateful to Terry Abraham, to the other prize donors, and to everyone who placed bids.
“The response to the opportunity to secure a VIP tour of our base was tremendous and we’re working on plans to make sure it is a very special day for the successful bidder.”
Vanessa Rhoden of Friends of the Lake District said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of the auction and, as always, humbled that in such a difficult year for everybody people still have the capacity and generosity to take the time to support us in this way.
“The money raised will help to fund our new Sanctuary project in 2021. Its aim is to give frontline workers and emergency service personnel recuperation and mental restoration using nature to rebuild their resilience to cope with the demands of these unprecedented times.”
The highest bids for each lot were selected at the end of November.
