Leo Houlding officially opens the extension at the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team headquarters. Photo: Keswick MRT

Adventurer Leo Houlding has officially opened an extension at the headquarters of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team.

The Cumbria-based mountaineer was the guest of honour at the event on Sunday.

The team said, although the building work was finished some months ago, it has taken time to complete the necessary transformation of the inside of the base.

A small number of invited guests heard an introduction by second-generation mountain rescuer Jonny Hume, who handed over to team chairman James Lamb. He described the organisation’s historic journey from humble beginnings in garages on the side of the central car park to the new custom designed facilities it now occupies.

He outlined why the extension was necessary, because of the growing demand in the number and variety of rescues and the greater capability now offered. “All this requires more space for storage and training,” he said. “The base now also serves as a silver command centre which is a place to co-ordinate responses to multi-agency events such as floods and major weather-related incidents.”

Leo Houlding jokingly apologised for the absence of Sir Chris Bonington who had opened the original base. “He was away in London,” he said.

A team spokesperson said Leo was clearly impressed by the base, describing it as probably the most advanced mountain rescue facility in the country. He said that although he has never personally had to call on mountain rescue he reminded everyone that the service is provided for free in the UK and is available 24/7 whatever the weather.

He emphasised that the team is run by volunteers and is funded completely by donations – ‘by the public, for the public’.