Rescue heroes in the north are celebrating a small mountain of extra cash – thanks to a banking scandal.
A £60,000 chunk of fines imposed by the UK Government on guilty bankers will go Scottish Mountain Rescue, cor a charity representing volunteer rescuers.
Police Scotland secured the money in the wake of the Libor debacle.
As a result of the penalties imposed, £60,000 will go to Scottish Mountain Rescue in addition to annual funding from Police Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “This doubles our commitment financially in 2014-2015 to mountain rescue teams whose members volunteer to go to the assistance of others when they get into difficulties.
“They work closely alongside the emergency services and other response agencies such as the military and often operate in the most difficult of conditions on the toughest terrain in the country.
“While thousands of people take to that terrain in the pursuit of leisure and enjoyment, the mountain rescue team members are all too often called upon, at a moment’s notice, when things go wrong. They are an excellent example of dedicated and highly-skilled volunteers who perform a valuable public service.”
Scottish Mountain Rescue chairman Simon Steer said: “We are delighted that Police Scotland has secured this funding.
“Our voluntary mountain rescue teams provide a world class service, free at the point of delivery, that is available any day, at any time and in any weather. Our teams are, however, increasingly stretched as the number of incidents we respond to has increased, whilst fund raising becomes ever more challenging.”
His colleague and team leader with Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, Willie Anderson, said: “Any extra funding is always very welcome.”
John Stevenson, who leads the Lochaber rescue team, said: “Obviously, every little helps when we depend on donations.”
He said his priority would be to replace ageing radio equipment.
John Foley, chief executive of the Scottish Police Authority said: “This additional funding will provide a welcome boost for organisations like Scottish Mountain Rescue which complement the daily work of Police Scotland in keeping people safe.
“We are pleased to have been able to direct funding towards these key partners of policing in Scotland.”