BNS Telecom Group plc | Charity sees the light!

Friday, 23 January 2009 09:07

A mountain rescue team looking for a bit of financial assistance knew just who to call for support!

And in response Prudhoe-based BNS Telecom was happy to come up with the goods - courtesy of its Charity Fund at the Community Foundation, which has handed £1,000 to the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.

The Mountain Rescue Team is a registered charity dedicated to the provision of a voluntary search and rescue service covering the whole of the Northumbria Police area. Members also provide rescue cover at outdoor events, presentations and safety talks to local groups and schools.

BNS Telecom stepped in to help the team buy 40 headlamps with rechargeable battery packs desperately needed to help volunteers to seek out injured or lost people when they undertake searches.

Andrew Crawford, BNS Telecom Group Marketing Director, said: “Our fund was created earlier this year to help great local causes. We employ more than 200 people locally and naturally want to be involved in the region.

“This is a great charity – as the team is run by volunteers who give up their own time to go out in all weather day or night to bring people back to safety.”

Paul Freeman, of the mountain rescue team said: “The support from BNS Telecom’s Charity Fund is very much appreciated – it takes some of the strain of providing equipment that is compatible and efficient for the team.

“We have seen an increase in incidents of around 47 per cent in the past few years and with more than half of the searches taking place during the evening or at night this equipment is vital.”

The team has been operating since the early 1960s and comprises of 35 volunteers and 4 trainees. It costs £20,000 a year to fund the service.