News snips floods from around England and Wales
FEBRUARY 2020: Storms Ciara and Dennis wreaked havoc in communities across the UK, but particularly in South Wales, West Yorkshire and the Lake District. Mountain rescue teams are increasingly called to support their communities in times of flooding. Specialist swiftwater units within the teams are trained and geared up to respond when needed, often outside their own teams and regions – helped hugely in their efforts by the £5 million Department for Transport Inland Rescue Boat Fund, launched in 2014.
In the same month that the Ciara and Dennis hit, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that thirteen mountain rescue teams and one regional organisation would be amongst the fifty charities to receive funding for essential search and rescue equipment. £202.757.16 would be shared between Bolton, Cornwall, Dartmoor Plymouth, Dartmoor Tavistock, Derby, Duddon and Furness, Kinder, Kirkby Stephen, Oldham, Penrith, Scarborough and Ryedale, Wasdale and Woodhead teams, and the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association. ‘Our rescue boat teams carry out vital work to keep our rivers, lakes and inshore areas safe’, said Shapps. ‘These inspirational charities and their dedicated volunteers save lives every day, and this additional funding will ensure they have the craft, equipment and resources to provide these services year-round’.
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