Cumbria based Mountain Rescue teams are finding it difficult to recruit new members, with many of the county’s twelve groups expressing concern over their lack of resources.
With an increase in call-outs of 26% during the last decade – 236 incidents were recorded in the first six months of this year, compared to just 188 in the first half of 2003 – teams are feeling the pressure without a regular batch of volunteers to help out those in need on the peaks.
A Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson explained: “Nobody is getting any younger. In the very near future team members are going to start to retire and there is a lot of experience that we don’t want to lose, so we are trying to recruit to get younger blood in to ensure the skills and experience of the older generation is passed down.”
Teams are now turning to social media websites in order to encourage those with a passion for the outdoors to sign up.
RELATED LINKS
www.ldsamra.org.uk