TWO mountain rescue teams have joined forces in a bid to create a more effective service for the Furness peninsula, reports Zoe Casson.

The 40-strong Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team was formed in January, but only officially launched during an open day at its new base on the industrial site at Foxfield near Broughton-in-Furness on Saturday.

The new group was formed following the merger of Millom Fell Rescue Team and the Furness Mountain Rescue Team.

Team member David Hobbins said the merger had taken two years to complete.

"Rescue teams are becoming more professional as the amount of training needed has increased and so has the cost of the equipment. The equipment has also become more and more complicated to use.

"We thought sharing each other's facilities was the sensible thing to do."

Mr Hobbins said the team's duties had also increased. "If somebody goes missing we are often called by the police to help search the rivers and things. This is in addition to the rescues that we attend."

At the launch on Saturday, which was part of a week-long calendar of events in this year's Cumbria Mountain Festival, the public was given the chance to have a go on a climbing wall and see an RAF search and rescue helicopter, which flew in from Boulmer in Northumberland.

"It went really well," said Mr Hobbins. "We even managed to raise a bob or two towards our funds, but I am not sure how much."

The running cost of the voluntary rescue team is about £20,000 a year. Members rely heavily on donations from members of the public as the team only receives the occasional grant.

The volunteer members are on-call 365 days a year, 24-hours a day. On average they attend about 30 rescues annually. The newly-formed team covers the area between the Furness peninsula and the Duddon Valley, including the coastal fells at Black Combe in Silecroft.

Team leader Peter Jackson said; "The new team aims to improve both its service and efficiency for the people of south west Cumbria and is very appreciative of their funding support which is the mainstay of the team's continuing activities."

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the team can ring 01229-716952 or by e-mail on treasurer@dfmrt.org.uk

April 24, 2003 15:30