Last Friday the team welcomed a visit from Andrew Bingham MP, High Peak and David Rutley MP, Macclesfield. Both MPs are members of the “All Party Parliamentary Group on Mountain Rescue”. Indeed Andrew is the Treasurer, and David is the Vice Chairman. Both have visited other teams within their constituencies.

The visit was for both MPs to see at first hand what we do, the vehicles and equipment we use, and learn more about the commitment of our volunteer team members, in terms of training and fundraising. We also invited Neil Roden, Chairman, Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation, and Alan Brentnall, Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation.

Roger Bennett, Buxton Team Chairman, opened the meeting with a short presentation, including training, funding, costs of running the service and operational callouts which provided an overview of the team activities. He said “A number of issues were discussed which we believe are imposing additional work load on our volunteers as well as rising costs, which takes away from our core activities and values. We feel that this meeting was very constructive and both Andrew and David did undertake to look at ways they could help us”.

Andrew Bingham said “Mountain rescue teams do a fantastic job. I have four teams within my High Peak constituency, they are all volunteers with a high degree of commitment, enthusiasm and very professional. Two of the teams also work across the boundary in my colleague, David Rutley’s, Macclesfield constituency”.