Working together with Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) has signed a 3-year partnership with leading outdoor brand Helly Hansen.
Western Beacons MRT responds to calls for assistance from the Police or Ambulance Service. Their patch is one of the largest areas covered by a single Mountain Rescue Team in the U.K. During a typical year they respond to between 60 to 80 call outs and are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Helly Hansen and Western Beacons MRT have one common goal: to save lives in the mountains. In support of this goal, Helly Hansen has developed a bespoke best-in-class Mountain Rescue Responder kit with the aim of protecting the Mountain Rescue volunteers against the UK’s unique temperate weather conditions and varied landscapes. In addition, Helly Hansen will be working with the team and its volunteers to educate outdoor enthusiasts on mountain safety.
Western Beacons MRT must tackle tough landscapes and experience the diverse changeable UK weather that can test even the most resilient of volunteers. Over the past year the team has vigorously tested product from Helly Hansen’s Mountain Collection and provided valuable first-hand feedback. These insights have helped the brand to develop the Mountain Rescue Responder clothing.
The full 3-layer system is designed to allow volunteers to feel safe and comfortable in their kit, so they can concentrate on their role saving lives in the mountains 365 days a year. The team will be instrumental in providing further feedback and insights to evolve Helly Hansen’s Mountain Rescue Collections over the 3-year partnership.
Neil Butcher, Operations Team Leader at Western Beacons MRT, said, “Throughout our 50 plus years of existence, having the right kit to protect us from the elements has always been close to the top of the list of priorities for our team members. Not having to think whether or not our kit will keep us warm and dry will enable us to concentrate more on the casualty and less about our own wellbeing. This is why we are delighted to be in partnership with Helly Hansen, to provide feedback and insight into their garments for the benefit of all their users, and we are proud to join the Helly Hansen team of 55,000 global professionals. We are also looking forward to working with Helly Hansen to help educate outdoor enthusiasts on mountain safety.”
Piers Barnes, Helly Hansen UK & IRL General Manager, said, “As a brand that defines itself through its work with professionals for over 140 years, Helly Hansen has a tremendous amount of respect for mountain rescue teams and their volunteers. We know that it is trust that makes saving lives possible, trust in your team, your environment and in your kit. We are proud to be part of that and to be supporting those who willingly risk their own lives to help others.”
