Lakes holiday park hosts fun day for fell rescue heroes

An Ambleside holiday park popular with fell walkers from across the UK has shown its gratitude to the volunteers who turn out when climbers get into difficulties.

Skelwith Fold caravan park has raised over £750.00 for the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team to help them continue with their life-saving work.

And as the summer holiday season got underway, members of the team with their rescue vehicles spent a day at the park meeting some of its outward-bound holidaymakers.

It was also a chance for Skelwith Fold to present its donation to rescue team leader Nick Owen.

The funds were raised through a range of different events held at the park, including the sale of printed leaflets describing walking routes submitted by park guests.

Donations were also made during the team’s visit to the park where volunteers gave advice to families on how to minimise risks when tackling the fells.

There was also the opportunity for youngsters to clamber on board the all-terrain emergency vehicles used by the mountain rescue crew to get as close as possible to incidents.

The team is one of a number of local organisations which benefit from the thousands of pounds raised through different projects each year at Skelwith Fold.

Park director Henry Wild says the work of the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team is one to which everyone at the park can relate:

“Being a holiday park in the heart of the Lake District, we do attract many holiday home buyers and touring guests who enjoy taking on the challenges of the fells,” said Henry.

“As such, they are generally very well experienced and properly equipped – but they are also aware that things can sometimes go terribly wrong for a variety of reasons.

“On countless occasions in the past, the mountain rescue volunteers have provided an immediate response in such emergencies, and many people owe their lives to the team.

“We are delighted to help with the vital funding they need to buy essential equipment and to provide training for their members,” added Henry.

Skelwith Fold, set in 130 acres of parkland, says that bookings for this year are “extremely robust” thanks to the continuing staycation trend and the growing popularity of activity holidays.

There is more information about the park at www.skelwith.com