Buxton Mountain Rescue Team this week unveiled the latest addition to its response vehicle fleet with delivery of a new Toyota Hilux 4 wheel drive.
The Hilux will become the team’s primary response vehicle and will attend nearly every call-out received.  It will replace the team’s current primary response Land Rover, which is now over ten years old, and will enable continued access to casualties via tracks and unmade roads as well as providing an all year, all weather capability on the roads.
The team thought long and hard about which was the most suitable vehicle for the task, the demise of the Land Rover Defender meant that the team had to look at other manufacturers.
The Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4WD, 2.4D with Icon Specification in Metallic Silver, compliments the existing fleet of three vehicles, and each has a specific role in the team’s response depending on the nature of the call-out. 
The total cost of the replacement project is over £45,000, which has been funded with the magnificent support of the public.  Continued careful budgeting by the charity built up a cash fund specifically targeted for the purchase but the individual help of two team supporters was critical to achieving the goal.  In June, Ben Brindley from Tideswell ran seven marathons in seven days, an amazing achievement which raised £2000.   In September, Becky Higton presented the team with a cheque for £5,000 which she had raised with a sponsored climb of Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.  Becky was helped by the team and given treatment by the team doctor when she suffered breathing difficulties whilst running in the Christmas Cracker fell race in 2014.  To say ‘thank you’ she set off on an amazing fundraising event.
The shiny new vehicle has been dedicated to the memory of the team’s late president, Ian Hurst MBE, who died just a few weeks ago.  Ian’s widow, Zan Hurst, together with members of her family, kindly attended the team’s Dove Holes base to officially unveil the Toyota and to launch it into service.
Buxton Mountain Rescue Team wishes to send a huge “Thank You” to all who have contributed to the team over the last two years and made the purchase possible.  Donations come in all sizes, from small personal gifts to larger commercial grants from trusts and clubs.  Every gift is greatly appreciated and without that super support from across the community the team would not be able to remain operational.  As the team gets busier year on year the financial burden of providing the voluntary service grows.   Team members give their time for rescues freely without a second thought but the continued financial support of the public is absolutely essential to providing the service, which is free of charge to anyone in distress in a remote area.
Photo credits: BMRT.    Zan Hurst with family and Team Vehicle Officer, Matt Simmon unveiling the vehicle.    Vehicle on test on the Jacobs Ladder track.