Cumbria’s mountain rescue teams have thanked people for sticking to the Government’s coronavirus guidelines.
The volunteer organisations were concerned at the start of the year because they had 19 callouts in the first two weeks of January, compared to seven during the same period last year.
However, since the latest lockdown teams have only has seven callouts in the past three weeks, compared to 18 in 2020.
A statement from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, which represents the 12 teams and 400 volunteers covering the Lake District and Cumbria, said: “We would like to thank everyone for sticking to the Government rules, staying at home and exercising locally.
“The focus of our messaging at the beginning of the year was centred on reducing the numbers of avoidable callouts.
“It was about avoiding high risk activities that could put our volunteer mountain rescue teams at risk from the virus, placing unnecessary demands on Cumbria’s ambulance service and increasing pressure on hospital staff and facilities.
“Your efforts and sacrifices are therefore really appreciated, not just by mountain rescue but by all the agency partners we work with.
“The fells are quiet and the situation in Cumbria is starting to improve very slowly however we cannot relax so please continue to stick to the rules.
“There will be a time when we can all get out there and enjoy the great outdoors fully.”
