Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team has a new boat, with help from Cumbria Freemasons.
The rigid inflatable boat has been delivered to the team and will be used as transport for the volunteers to emergencies on the eastern side of Ullswater, and as a primary rescue vehicle for incidents on the lake and in floods.
When the appeal was launched, Cumbria Freemasons pledged over £15,000, including £2,000 donated from late member Peter Lightburn’s wife.
The John Scott, known as Patrick Scottie, is an essential piece of kit for the team.
Many of the rescues are on the far shore of Ullswater from the rescue centre in Patterdale.
On the eastern shore, road vehicles either cannot reach the incident site at all or, especially at busy times, cannot reach casualties quickly enough.
The team is also seeing a significant number of call-outs related to water sports with the growing popularity of wild swimming, paddle-boarding and canoeing.
Neil Dixon, of Cumbria Freemasons, said: “This week, we had the pleasure of visiting Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team for their 60th birthday party, and we were pleased to see the new boat being put into service.
“The appeal for funding the boat started a little while ago, and we, in conjunction with the Masonic Charitable Foundation were proud to pledge an amazing £13,396, an incredible 17% of the cost for this amazing venture.
“Also, Mrs Lightburn, wife of one of our late deputy provincial grand masters captain Peter Lightburn, kindly donated £2,000, in memory of her late husband.
“We are extremely proud to be able to support this.”
