Santa helped mountain rescue volunteers to raise more than £2,000 during a flag day appeal in Egremont and Whitehaven.
On Saturday, Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team in Egremont were delighted to have a helping hand from Santa, (kindly arranged by the team behind the Egremont Crab Fair) who visited the High Street in his sleigh, and greeted local families throughout the day.
Team members and vehicles were on display in both local towns and the team were delighted that so many local residents stopped by to say hello and show their support. The volunteers are on call 365 days of the year and are seeing a near record year for callouts on the Wasdale and Eskdale fells this year with over 130 callouts.
“The team were overwhelmed at the generosity of all the local people who stopped by to say hello,” said John Bamforth, Chairman of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.
“To raise such an incredible amount of money – more than £1,000 in each of Egremont and Whitehaven – has given the team a real lift as we approach the end of another incredibly busy and difficult year. Our whole team hope that everyone in our area, and beyond, has a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy 2022.”
