MSP’s backing for vital work of mountain rescue

Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, has said he is keen to help support Scottish Mountain Rescue.

The Conservative politician met with the team at Scottish Mountain Rescue when they visited Holyrood, and attended their evening reception.

Speaking at the event, he said:“It is a real pleasure to meet with Damon Powell, chairman of Scottish Mountain Rescue and his team outside parliament and to have attended their parliamentary reception this evening.

“Scottish Mountain Rescue, founded in 1965, is a representative and coordinating body for mountain rescue teams in Scotland.

“The organisation, an independently registered charity is adminsitered by a volunteer executive committee, supported by a part-time member of staff.

“It works on behalf of the general committee whose voting members are representatives of operational mountain rescue teams and a selection of nonvoting members with a partnership interest in mountain rescue across Scotland. They facilitate the provision of a civilian mountain rescue service in Scotland and liaise closelt with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and Fire and Rescue Services, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Scottish Ambulance Service, and other partner agencies involved in land-based search and rescue.

“Scottish Mountain Rescue has charitable status and is funded entirely through voluntary contributions including the involvement of the Order of St John Scotland. As past vice-chairman of the Order of St John Perth and Kinross, I am both acutely aware and highly supportive of St John’s assistance with Scottish Mountain Rescue, not least their assistance with the procurement of their excellent vehicles, two of which were outside Holyrood today.

“I’m equally delighted to support Scottish Mountain Rescue in every facet of work that the volunteers do, plus I am more than happy to offer any assistance that I can to the charity and their volunteers in the future.”