[James Malloch]

This is something I've been meaning to look into for a while as I'd like to start donating something each month but I don't know much about either at all. So I'd be interested to know a little more about the Mountain Rescue and various bolt funds - primarily how to decide where to give some money, and how others decide.

On the MR side, the obvious thing is to give to a local service as it's perhaps more likely to be one I might use. Or to give to the team who helped my girlfriend a number of years back as there is a connection between myself and them.

However, it might be that there are other teams which are in much greater need of funds and therefore would see more benefit from a donation. So how do people decide? Or is there a central fund that you can donate to where someone will decide where the money should go?



Likewise with bolt funds, I climb predominantly in Yorkshire with trips down to the Peak and over to Wales on occasion. But non of their websites seem to be very up to date. Is there a way to find out where is most in need of cash? I understand that time/volunteers is often most in need but that's not something I can offer at the moment so a DD will hopefully add some benefit instead.

Apologies if I've missed some obvious links/information that's already out there but I thought I'd get the best response by simply asking.

[duncan]

Good idea, I've been meaning to post something similar.

My tactic is to sell off ageing or surplus gear every so often, here or on the FB outdoor gear exchange group, and donate the proceeds. It's surprising how much worn out old junk lovingly cherished kit can fetch.

Sometimes I'll suggest the buyer nominates an MR team. Sometimes I donate to the Dorset Bolt Fund, who report they need money more than workers, as this is mostly where I clip bolts.

[205Chris]

On the MR side, nothing is as straightforward as you might imagine. Essentially all teams are charities and will fundraise to help with their own running costs. This is typically anywhere between £15k to 50k+ depending on the team's location and how busy they are. These costs won't include capital purchases like vehicles / HQ build etc.

Some teams are very lucky and have 'sugar daddies' in the local area who will support them (think Edale and their HQ at the cement works), other teams have to raise money to fund their HQs if they can't find a local backer.

The National Co-ordinating body for Mountain Rescue in England and Wales is MREW link. If you donate to them the money will likely be used to fund courses that will benefit all MR teams in MREW, or to purchase items of equipment for all MR teams. If you just want to support MR on a national level, this is the best place for your money.

In the interests of completeness, Scotland is covered by Scottish Mountain Rescue and Ireland by Mountain Rescue Ireland

If you are Peak based for example (and other areas will be similar), there are 7 teams who operate throughout the Peak, covered under the umbrella organisation of the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation (PDMRO) - link. Again, you can donate to the PDMRO in which case funds will be used to support training / equipment at a regional level, rather than a national level.

Finally, if you have a local team (or a team you have affinity with), make contact with them and they will be more than grateful for your donation. Any team should have the ability to allow you to setup a direct debit. Many teams have supporters networks which involve anything from monthly / quarterly newsletters or options to get more involved with the team if that's what interests you. Bear in mind that (again, using the peak as an example) depending on whether you're climbing at Stanage, Black Rocks, Stoney or Wimberry, each of these would be covered by a different team.

Hope that helps, but regardless of who you donate to  for supporting MR. I don't think a lot of people appreciate just how lucky we are in the UK!

[petejh]

I have close links with the person who admins the North Wales Bolt Fund and know roughly how much we have in the bank -  it's flush due to NWL guidebook sales (need to write an update about this, impressive amounts of cash raised for the local scene). If there are other funds in need of donations I'd prioritise them over the NWBF currently.
Bigger picture, it could be a good thing to link-up the various regional funds and allocate money centrally based on need, perhaps admin'd by someone at the BMC provided it could be done without their wages taking chunks out of funds.
Ireland and NI need a bolt fund...

[highrepute]

I'm sure if you could ask the various funds/charities directly they'd all tell you they needed your money the most. Apart from Pete. I'd donate where you feel you have the most connection.

The peak bolt fund is re-energized this year we've got a few more people interested than in the past few year so I'm hoping that'll mean a bit more activity next year. In terms of funds we're definitely not flush enough to turn down a donation.

But non of their websites seem to be very up to date.

Updated last month!

[James Malloch]

Thanks for the replies - it's really useful information.

Chris - thanks for the detailed reply. Provides lots of clarity on how money might be used. I think I'd prefer one of the higher-level donation methods so it can be decided who needs it the most. I hadn't appreciated there were regional organisations, such as the peak one you mentioned, that could do this. It looks like there is a similar thing for the Yorkshire/Wharfedale region which I might go for on the basis that:

1) It's my local area and where I'm most active.
2) It covers my girlfriends PhD site which is in the middle of nowhere and as she might be working alone and wading around rivers etc the chances for a slip/injury and hence a potential call out is higher than average.

Pete/highrepute - Thanks for the bolt fund comments. Glad the guide has helped a lot in N.Wales, I've got my copy which unfortunately still hasn't been used! Need to get myself across this year and rectify the situation.

I'll probably get in touch with the Yorkshire fund and see how that is getting on. I know they were doing well following some fundraisers but that was a number of years ago based on a UKC article. However I'll likely end up splitting some donations or doing both depending on the outcome.

I couldn't access the Peak fund website from work which so I wrongly grouped that in - sorry!



As an aside, I know that mountain rescue is a registered charity but are bolt funds? (I assume not).

The reason I ask is that I can claim up to £500 from work to match donations for a registered charity so might as well utilise some of this where possible (though unfortunately I can't donate that amount myself...)