Galway Mountain Rescue Team will be on the streets of Galway this Saturday for its annual fundraising collection. Members of the team will be on Shop Street and in the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford Road throughout the day. Ronan Concannon, team leader, says it takes approximately €30,000 per year to run the team covering costs such as insurance, transport, and rescue and safety equipment. Much of this has to be raised by the team itself and often members have to cover their own costs associated with callouts and training. He said that the annual bucket collection is hugely important to the team in terms of fundraising and that they get a fantastic response from the people of Galway every year.
Galway Mountain Rescue is responsible for providing a search and rescue service in upland and remote areas of counties Galway and Clare. In addition the team also responds to requests for assistance in lowland missing persons searches. This service is provided 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The team currently comprises 30 members, is entirely voluntary, and does not charge for its services.
Watch out for team members in town on Saturday decked out in high-visibility jackets.
For more information on this and the team in general, visit www.gmrt.ie The rescue team would like to take the opportunity to remind hill-walkers to stay safe in the mountains – always dress appropriately, expect the worst of weather, bring a map and compass, and know how to navigate in poor visibility.
