MEMBERS of a hardworking mountain rescue team have been lifted by a substantial donation from a helicopter crew.

At the start of the month, volunteers from Aberdyfi Search & Rescue Team received a very welcome boost to their charity’s funds as the Coastguard helicopter R936 dropped in to deliver a cheque for £5,000.

The individual Coastguard helicopter bases, operated by Bristows Group on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, were requested to nominate a Search and Rescue charity to benefit from a Bristows social responsibility scheme and this year the crew at Caernarfon selected the Aberdyfi Team to receive the award.

A spokesperson from Bristows said: “In recognition of the superb, dedicated and often unsung work carried out by the Search and Rescue volunteer community, Bristow Helicopters will be making a series of donations to partner agencies around the UK. Bristow Helicopters recognises that volunteer groups are often the forgotten link that those in difficulty assume will be there for them when needed.

“It is hoped that the money will help to raise the profile of worthy causes and provide a vital boost to the funds of organisations that often rely solely on donations.”

After presenting team leader Chris Dunn with the cheque, team volunteers experienced a training flight around their area of operation aboard R936, seeing the region from the crew’s perspective.

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow