Mountain Rescue Council (The)

Mountain rescue teams in England and Wales are usually made up from unpaid volunteers. Recruited because they are already competent mountaineers, these individuals then undertake additional training in a number of specialisms: search techniques, stretcher handling, rescue in snow/ice, use of radio, first aid.

The local teams are grouped into regional organisations through which they are linked to the Mountain Rescue Council. The Mountain Rescue Council is the interface with the other organisations and government departments involved in Mountain Rescue: British Cave Rescue Council, Search and Rescue Dogs Association, Police, HM Coastguard, RAF Search and Rescue, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Sports Council.

The regional associations in England and Wales are:

Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association
Mid-Pennine Search and Rescue Organisation
North East Search and Rescue Association
North Wales Mountain Rescue Association
Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation
South Wales Search and Rescue Association
South West England Rescue Association
Yorkshire Dales Rescue Panel

In Scotland, local teams are represented by the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland. In England and Wales the local teams, the regional organisations and the MRC are all registered charities. The local teams and regional bodies are financially independent and manage their own fundraising. The majority of funding comes from donations and collections.

The multiplying workload, greater expectations of those injured or lost on the mountains plus the increasing sophistication (and therefore cost) of equipment means that there is a constant search for new sources of funding.

For more information about The Mountain Rescue Council have a look at: