Mountain Rescue to get permanent base for first time
DERBY Mountain Rescue Team is on its way to having its first permanent base in Mackworth village.
The group’s current ‘base’ is an old garage, prone to flooding, which has limited space for emergency response vehicles and equipment, no training or meeting room and no hub for gathering as a team to debrief and de-stress after call-outs.
The team has already raised £470,000 to date, purchased some land and obtained planning permission to build a purpose-built base that will meet all its needs.
To complete the project, it will need further funding but in the meantime has been able to complete the first two phases of the build, and crucially has now given the green light for the commencement of the build.
Derby Mountain Rescue Team is a group of highly skilled, dedicated volunteers who serve their local community. As a 24/7 emergency service, they respond to requests from the police, ambulance services and other authorities to assist in search and rescue operations.
The official start of the new base’s work was marked with a small gathering on the site comprising team members who were joined by Derbyshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable Rachel Swann.
Team leader Martin Cavill said: “We have started the foundations and we’re going to get the building up hopefully by the middle of the year, and then we need some more funds to do the fit out and complete the building hopefully another few months after that.
“The team is 60 years old this year, and I think in that 60 years we’ve been quite nomadic, trying to find places to train, keep our vehicles, look after our equipment. Massive thanks to supporters, friends, family, donors, sponsors and everybody really who has got us to this point.”
Mrs Swann said it was a “privilege and pleasure to commemorate the occasion”. She added: “Keeping those people safe in the county, who live here, who work here, who come and visit, requires a really strong partnership effort.
“And it’s those people like you, amazing people like you, who give up your time and volunteer to help keep those people safe particularly when they find themselves in a crisis.
“We are really lucky to benefit from such working.”
From the Peak District to the city itself, the team is trained to handle any situation. Whether it’s a missing person in rural areas, a crag rescue, a swift water emergency, or pre-hospital medical care, they are ready to jump into action.
With an annual expense of over £35,000, the team relies on the generosity of the public and local businesses.
To complete the project they still need around a further £300,000. To find out more, visit www.derbymrt.org.uk/p/base.