A Cumbrian mountain rescue team has had an £8,000 boost thanks to the efforts of hundreds of trail runners.
Kendal-based Ourea Events organised last November’s adidas TERREX Kendal Mountain Festival 10k trail run as a not-for-profit race.
Once the costs were accounted for, all entry fees were donated to Kendal Mountain Rescue Team, and £8,815.74 has now been handed over.
Ourea Events organises a calendar of ultra-running events, including the Montane Dragon’s Back Race, Cape Wrath Ultra and the Silva Northern Traverse and Lakes Traverse.
For the first time in 2022, the company was asked to manage the popular 10k trail run during the annual mountain festival, and decided to use the event to support Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.
Ourea Events covered the cost of staff time for the race, and runners who entered the 10k could opt to make an additional donation when signing up.
Mountain Rescue volunteers were on duty on the day, and some team members were also in the town centre with collection buckets. The 2022 10k was the biggest yet at the festival, and over 750 participants completed the run.
Shane Ohly, of Ourea Events, said: “All of the events that we organise take our participants into the mountains, and we have a real understanding and huge appreciation of the amazing work done by mountain rescue volunteers, mostly funded through donations.
“Event organisers should never take this vital service for granted and we took this opportunity to give something back.”
Kath Jackson, Kendal Mountain Rescue Team leader, added: “Keeping our team of volunteers ‘rescue ready’ is a costly business and the support from Ourea Events and the trail running community following the Kendal Mountain Festival 10k trail race is warmly welcomed. Without businesses and individuals donating we simply couldn’t be there to attend incidents 24 hours a day year-round.”
