A CUMBRIAN mountain rescue team is thanking kind-hearted members of the public for their donations throughout 2019.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team has taken to social media to announce the total raised by ‘generous locals and visiting tourists’ adding pennies to collection boxes throughout the area.

Jackie Coe, treasurer at Coniston Mountain Rescue Team said: “During 2019, our generous locals and visiting tourists kindly donated nearly £5,500 through our collecting boxes. With Gift Aid it will be nearly £7,000.

“I would like to pass on our thanks, from all of the team to those who have donated.

“Special thanks also go to Phil and Annette Scott who collect, count up and bank the money from these boxes which are placed in public places such as shops, pubs, hotels etc. all over the Coniston and Hawkshead region.”

The much-needed funds have come at a crucial time, with the current coronavirus pandemic leading to the cancellation of fundraising events.

The mountain rescue team has attended 10 incidents in 2020, with two of them taking place at Coniston Old Man.

In 2019, there were 52 incidents logged on the mountain rescue website.

Jackie Coe said: “These funds will be especially useful at the moment because many of our current sources of finance have dried up due to cancellation of events. Ordinary running costs - maintaining the base and the vehicles, equipping the team and buying medical supplies - come to about £50,000 per year, and this year there will be extra expenses due to purchasing PPE and other specialised equipment to keep the team safe.”

If you would like to donate to the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team, visit the website at: www.conistonmrt.org.uk and click ‘donate’.

Donations can also be made to the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team via JustGiving, Virgin Money Giving or Paypal.