By Lisa Ramsden
FIRST Minister Michelle O’Neill is backing the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team’s campaign for a new base in Newcastle.
Following a meeting with team representatives last week, Ms O’Neill, who was accompanied by Chirs Hazzard MP and Councillor Willie Clarke, has commended the local volunteers for “selflessly” serving others.
The rescue team, which was established in 1962 and was the first of its kind in Ireland, is made up entirely of volunteers who turn out in all weather, day or night, 24 hours a day, year-round.
At the end of May, the team issued a direct appeal to the community to help find the £400,000 shortfall required, so it can build a new and fit-for-purpose rescue base in the town.
Since launching the appeal, the charity has been “amazed” at the level of support shown – with over £20,000 made in donations and a further £25,000 in pledges.
The team has appealed to individuals, clubs and businesses to get behind their campaign and were delighted to welcome the three politicians to Newcastle last week, when details were outlined in full.
Martin McMullan, one of the team’s rescue co-ordinators, was joined by fellow team members Nicholas McCrickard and Jeremy Purdy, team secretary, for the visit to Donard Park, during which Ms O’Neill and her party colleagues were able to see some of the vehicles and equipment routinely used on rescues.
In a social media post afterwards, Minister O’Neill said the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team “deserve immense credit for their remarkable efforts over the years, which have saved countless lives.”
She added: “Our community is made up of so many incredible people who selflessly serve others, and the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team exemplifies this spirit.”
And, yesterday, Ms O’Neill reiterated that when she told the Mourne Observer that she and her colleagues “will continue working hard to champion them, and all of our community and voluntary organisations in South Down.”
Turning her attention to their recent visit, she added: “Thank you to the team for taking the time to demonstrate their work to us first-hand and for all that you do and have done over the past 60 years.”
Mr Hazzard said he and Cllr Clarke were delighted to be able to meet the team members alongside the First Minister.
“The first ever mountain rescue team in Ireland, they are staffed by volunteers who live in and around the Mourne area.
“The team deserve immense credit for their remarkable efforts over the years, which have saved countless lives,” he added.
A team spokesman said the visit provided the opportunity for “a lengthy conversation” regarding support from grant aid.
“As a result of our campaign, we recently had the opportunity to welcome First Minister Michelle O’Neill to the Mournes. Accompanied by MP Chris Hazzard and Councillor Willie Clarke, the meeting facilitated a discussion with team members regarding funding,” he explained.
“After giving a brief overview of the history of the team and our base plans, a lengthy conversation took place regarding support from grant aid.
“Needless to say, opportunities are very limited and as such we pushed for specific support, not just for our base, which is our current challenge, but for future needs.”
Turning his attention to the community’s recent generosity, the team member continued: “Although we’ll keep pushing for grant aid, all our support to date has been from the public – continuing to prove that it’ll be the collective community response that will help us reach our target.”
The team is delighted with the public support to date, which includes the £600,000 already raised.
They say their goal of developing their station, close to Donard Park and within the site Lidl has earmarked for its new store, is becoming a step closer.
Spiralling costs have seen the sum required to make the team’s headquarters a reality rise from an envisaged £650,000 to around £1m.
The local mountain rescue team explained that its plans for a new base in Newcastle have been in the pipeline for over a decade now.
A location has been identified, thanks to land allocated by Lidl, within its plans for a new store neighbouring Donard Park, on the former St Mary’s Girls’ school site.
However, the plans for the new Lidl store and rescue base have been beset by planning delays.
The rescue team explained that the delays have meant construction costs have risen and it has also lost out on two major grants.
With planning permission just recently granted, the team hopes things have turned a corner.
However, having lost grants totalling £1m, due to the delays, the team readily admits it now finds itself in the position where, without support, it will not reach the required amount needed to build its new base.
The team’s goal is to get word of its campaign message out “far and wide” and its members are encouraging anyone who can support them to “make a positive difference”.
To make a donation, or for fundraising ideas, visit www.mournemrt.org/donate/ and, if you wish to chat to a team member about supporting the campaign, private message the team’s Facebook account and someone will get in touch.
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The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team’s plans for a purpose-built rescue base in Newcastle.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill met with Mourne Mountain Rescue Team members Martin McMullan (second left), Nicholas McCrickard (second from right) and Jeremy Purdy (right) during a visit to Newcastle last week. She was accompanied by South Down MP Chris Hazzard and Cllr Willie Clarke.
Team members said the visit to Newcastle provided the opportunity for ‘a lengthy conversation’ regarding support from grant aid as well as detailing their history and appeal for a new station, close to Donard Park.