News

Our new base is open

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team have been awarded a prestigious accolade from the UK Police National Search Centre. In recognition of outstanding contribution and service, they were presented with the national “Police Search Governance Board Excellence Award” by Chief Inspector Mark Sweeney from the Police National Search Centre College of Policing. The team were nominated by Powys police commander, Temporary Superintendent Andrew Pitt, after the team were deployed in the search for two elderly females in the Brecon area earlier this year. T/Supt. Pitt stated, “Although the nomination was in respect of the team’s efforts for two particular search operations, it also reflects the significant contribution this group of volunteers have given in previous years and their continued efforts to support the emergency services, day and night, to find and rescue those who are lost or missing”. Ch. Insp. Sweeney added that “Nominations were received from all over the UK from various agencies, all of which provide exceptional support to the police. However, the nomination in respect of the Brecon team stood out. It is clear how valued the team are by Dyfed-Powys Police and the local communities that they serve.” Accepting the award on behalf of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team members, team leader Dr. Rob Powell said “We are thrilled to be recognised at a national level for this award. Our volunteers give up countless hours and sacrifice their precious time to serve our operational area across mid Wales. We do not look for “thanks”, but it is a great honour to be acknowledged. We thank Dyfed Powys Police for their continued support. Our working relationship means we can ensure the community's search and rescue needs are met.”

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and helped us to achieve the £1.1m target for our new HQ.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team announce £1.1m fundraising target to build new headquarters has been achieved! Brecon Mountain Rescue Team has announced that a vital fundraising appeal to build a much-needed new headquarters has been successful – and the project can now go full steam ahead! The dedicated team of volunteers provide an emergency rescue service 24-hours a day, 365 days-a-year – saving the lives of those most in need, throughout mid Wales. The growing demand for their help means they are in urgent need of a new base. For the past year the team have been raising funds for the project – and have successfully obtained grants and donations (including from a public fundraising appeal) totalling the £1.1million needed for the new headquarters on the outskirts of Brecon . This will enable them to respond more quickly to emergencies, train as one team together, and expand their community educational activities. The new HQ will also have a training room available for other community organisations to utilise for their own purposes. Brecon Mountain Rescue Team leader, Dr Rob Powell, said: “We are thrilled that we finally have the funds to build our new headquarters. Our members have been planning this for many years, and it is wonderful that it is now going to happen. We are so very grateful to the many people who have helped us to achieve this, and those who have displayed great generosity. It means that our dedicated volunteers can continue to save lives throughout mid Wales, for many decades to come”. “We can access places that no other service can reach. As well as finding, treating, and rescuing walkers, climbers, fell-runners, mountain bikers and kayakers, we also assist the most vulnerable in our communities - people living with dementia, people who are suffering with their mental health, flood victims, and missing adults and children”. Planning permission for the new building (on the same site as the existing one on the Ffrwdrech industrial estate) has already been granted, and the team are hoping that work will begin in the Spring – to be completed by the end of 2023. The team still need to continue their fundraising efforts as they have to raise £55,000 themselves, every year, for their day-to-day operating costs as they receive no government or external funding and operate entirely on a voluntary basis. In addition, although the £1.1m total project cost includes a contingency, the current economic crisis which has seen costs rise dramatically, means that the team want to boost funds further in order to create a comfortable cushion for the project. To find out more about how you can support Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, please visit www.breconmrt.co.uk To make a donation to please visit https://www.justgiving.com/breconmrt/donate

A new member of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team is joining the pack – and he’s on four legs instead of two.

Platinum Jubilee medals have been awarded to our team members this week, to mark the 70th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.