£25,000 Defender joins rescue team

By Safira Ali

Last updated 15:53, Thursday, 21 August 2008

A RENEWABLE energy company has donated £25,000 for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team’s new vehicle.

Great support: npower renewables has provided a new Land Rover Defender vehicle for Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team

The new vehicle, a Land Rover Defender 110 XS stationwagon, replaces the team’s aging 15-year-old Land Rover.

It will be used as the team’s first front-line rescue vehicle, carrying equipment and manpower to the nearest road location to any incidents.

To aid members of the team during rescue operations, the vehicle is fitted with state-of-the-art lighting and radio systems. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team chairman, Steve Brailey, said: “We would like to thank npower renewables for the generous donation which enabled us to replace our previous vehicle with the new Defender.

“This ‘Mobile 1’ will be the first vehicle to leave the base during a call-out.”

Mike Park, Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team leader, added: “The new Land Rover will enormously improve how we, as a team, can operate in attending to an ever-increasing number of call-outs.”

Christine Linton, health and safety adviser at npower renewables, said, “As a business we take health and safety very seriously and recognise the importance of having fit-for-purpose vehicles.

“We are also committed to supporting charitable organisations such as the mountain rescue team at Cockermouth, and pleased to help provide the new Land Rover which we hope will be a valuable addition to the team.”