Mountain rescue team closer to fundraising summit thanks to Windermere holiday park

Guests at Park Cliffe, many of them keen Lake District walkers, helped swell the mountain rescue donation

A CUMBRIA mountain rescue team has edged closer to its goal of building a new headquarters, thanks to the efforts of a Windermere holiday park.

Park Cliffe this month handed the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team a cheque for £3,000 to boost its fundraising campaign

The cash was raised over the past year through a number of projects, including a popular duck race and charity raffles supported by local businesses and park suppliers.

Guests also donated via the park’s collection box – and the final round figures was reached after another £400 booster was added by the family-owned park.

The Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team say they are the only one out of ten Lake District teams not to have permanent, purpose-built base.

They hope that their longed-for HQ will provide a number of important benefits, including a warm place to which volunteers will be able to return after being out on the fells.

Susan Dickson, who owns Park Cliffe with her husband Derek, said she was delighted with what everyone had achieved over the last 12 months:

“Many of our guests are keen walkers and stay here because of the park’s easy access to the surrounding fells and countryside,” she said.

Martin Cooper, fundraising officer for the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team, received the park’s £3,000 donation towards the creation of a permanent base for volunteers

“As such, they fully appreciate the life-or-death difference which mountain rescue teams can make if a person is lost, stranded or injured whilst out.

“Their generosity will help bring the goal of a permanent base even closer and support the fantastic work which these volunteers undertake,” said Susan.

The park also recorded a number of successful challenges of its own this year, including being named as the regional winners of the Federation of Small Businesses awards 2024 in the “sustainability” category of the competition

There are more details about the park – a member of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association – on its website at www.parkcliffe.co.uk