DUDDON and Furness Mountain Rescue Team has secured land for its new base after ten years of campaigning. 

However the team still has a way to go until they have the new base at Foxfield up and running.

For the last twenty years the team has used rented units as temporary bases, including an industrial space opposite where the new base will be. 

Team member Paul Makinson said: "We have been probably working towards where we are now for about ten years. 

"It is quite a journey, it is really important for the team. Our current base we have been in there since the early 2000s and it is essentially just two industrial sites.

"It's limited space so not ideal, we need the opportunity to expand. The land is just opposite our current base. It will provide us with more security for the future, it's a much better facility for training and interacting with the public."

The Mail: The plot of land the team has just bought to build the new baseThe plot of land the team has just bought to build the new base (Image: Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team)

The team started fundraising for the new base a few years ago but costs have gone up since then. Paul said the mountain rescue team is now looking at spending £750,000 to build the new facility up to standard - and they are currently £150k - £200k short. 

Paul said that it is that amount of money they will be looking to fundraise over the coming year. The team is hoping to start building the facility next year. 

He said: "We have some planning permission but we are asking to amend that permission now to get some changes we want. We have a fantastic network of supporters, people are really generous with their money and support. But we will have to seek out other fundraising opportunities for this."

The Mail: The team is not moving far from its current base in Foxfield, but Paul says there will be much more room to expandThe team is not moving far from its current base in Foxfield, but Paul says there will be much more room to expand (Image: Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue)

Paul said that there will be an official statement in the future outlining what is needed to secure grants once the planning permission amendments have been put through. However, the organisation still relies on the public more than anything else.

"We are hoping to drum up some public support. We are a completely volunteer organisation so really we need public donations to raise money," he said.

To donate, Paul asked people to visit www.dfmrt.org.uk or contact the team through Facebook.