Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team is investigating how it can set up a fund for its member who was seriously injured over the weekend.
The volunteer, believed to be 60 years old, fell 150 metres down rough ground while on a call out to a camper experiencing chest pains at Red Screes, above Kirkstone Pass in the early hours of Saturday.
The volunteer had to be airlifted to Preston hospital and it is understood he was in intensive care with spinal and facial injuries following the incident.
The camper, from Leicester, who was with a man from Liverpool, had to be rescued by other teams and was taken to hospital and released later the same day.
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team said it was grateful for the messages of support an donations it had received since the incident and was now looking at how it can create a way to handle the donations made to support the team member’s welfare in the long term.
It said: “Our charitable purpose does not currently support this but in the meantime, as a temporary measure, should you wish to give, please do so through any of the avenues given under the Donate heading, making your wishes clear.
“We will regard the use of the term “Red Screes” as suitable for this purpose but other clear statements of purpose would also be acceptable.
“Please be advised that we may find it necessary to seek your authorisation to transfer donations to a yet to be established specifically purposed charity, and ensure you provide sufficient contact details for us to be able to do this.
“This is in order to comply with Charity Commission rules.
“We strongly encourage you to be cautious about donating to independently established funding sites, none of which we have authorised, as it is not uncommon for these to be set up with fraudulent intent.”
A statement released by Mike Blakey, operational lead for the 12 rescue teams of the Lake District and a Patterdale team member, directly after the incident said: “I cannot stress enough the message to stay at home during lockdown.
“This rescue, and the subsequent life changing injuries incurred by our team member, were avoidable.
“Rescue team members are volunteers who train extensively to rescue others in the most atrocious weathers and in inhospitable places.
“However, the risks are always there and the impact of an incident like this is far reaching across the rescue and emergency services family.
“On behalf of the casualty’s family I would like to formally thank everyone involved in the rescue of our team member, including the medics and helicopter crew, and the amazing support he has received so far since being admitted to hospital.
“Of course our priority is now to support him and his family.”
