"Tayside mountain
rescue team are all volunteers and they do a brilliant
job. They have to
be ready to head for the hills at a moment’s
notice and they willingly give up their
time and selflessly dedicate themselves to rescuing
people who get into trouble.
This highly skilled, well trained but very modest
group are on call 365 days of the year and 24 hours of every single one of those days.
They work closely with the police, the RAF and
ambulance services, and all of them are extremely
organised and professional.
As well as locating and rescuing climbers, they
have to deal with people who can be injured, frightened and panicked.
They need to be calm and reassuring, especially
when having to deal with those who may have
mental problems and who may even be suicidal. That takes real skill.
It's worth bearing in mind that it is not just
badly prepared, poorly equipped amateurs who get
into difficulty on the hills and mountains in Tayside,
but climbers with years of experience
can get into trouble too.
The team also have fantastic camaraderie and
a terrific sense of humour which helps them to
cope with tough rescues. Of
course this is all voluntary and the team really
rely on the help of the public and the grateful people they rescue.
I know times are tough but this is such a fantastic
group of people, who do a tough job under
often horrendous conditions and they deserve
our full support. They
need proper equipment and outdoor clothing that
will withstand the sometimes cruel Scottish winters.
The cost of the team doesn't come cheap (around
thirty thousand pounds a year) but how can you put a price on saving a life?
TMRT really do make a difference and without
them people would be even more seriously injured or even die on the mountains.
I think they are all heroes, although I know
they would blush at such a description, but it takes
a very special person to be part of this team
and I salute them all.."
Lorraine Kelly |
