A generous donation from the town’s “Billerettes” was enough for the Team’s £50,000 for Fifty Years Service New Vehicle Appeal to reach a landmark stage.

Half the required money is now safely in the team’s coffers and Buxton Mountain Rescue Team has been able place an order for its new Incident Control Vehicle.

The model chosen for the base vehicle is a Ford Transit 350, all-wheel drive with high top and long wheelbase.  The decision followed detailed research of available models and an unbeatable offer of help and support from GK Ford of Chesterfield.   The agreed price is significantly less than the Ford list price and reflects great value for money with many extras to be provided by the dealership.   The charity trustees unanimously decided to accept the offer after considering three other quotations.

However, ordering a vehicle is only half the story.  The new vehicle will have many roles to play including that of an Incident Control and a Members’ Welfare Unit on the cold jobs.  The vehicle will also have to double up as an ambulance at times when bad weather closes the roads for most ambulances and East Midlands Ambulance Service calls for assistance.

Converting a basic Transit van into a multi-functional specialist vehicle will cost nearly as much as buying it in the first place.  The team is now drawing up a specification to enable contractors to quote for the work.  It is estimated that the appeal will need to raise another £25,000 to complete the project.

Can you help?  All donations and offers of support are really needed if the Incident Vehicle is to be ready for its target in-service date of 1st January.