Some regular readers may recall that we decided this year to replace our team issue mountain jackets, namely our Keela Munro jackets, originally purchased for every operational call out list member in January 2004.

Following an exhaustive evaluation period of many suitable jackets on the UK market, a recommendation was made and agreed by the Team Council and then further agreed by the team membership.

Commencing recently, every single one of our forty four Call Out List operational members has been trading in their old Keela Munro jacket for a brand new Montane Alpine Endurance eVent Jacket, in an overall Alpine Red colour, with ‘mountain Rescue’ clearly marked across the back panel, and our team badge on the sleeve.

In total we have purchased fifty five of these fantastic jackets, with thanks to Montane of North Seaton Industrial Estate, Ashington, Northumberland, for their great assistance with this purchase, made at a total cost of £10,617.78p.

Additionally we would like to thank Coniston Corporate UK Limited, East of Lake, Coniston, for their provision of all the necessary heat transfer signage / badge work on all fifty five jackets, at an additional cost of £498.60p.

Team member Chris Weatherhead deserves special mention for all his work on this new clothing project, alongside team member Mike Marsh who is ‘quartermaster in charge’ of this new jacket issue.

The purchase cost of these fifty five new Montane Alpine Endurance eVent jackets has been very kindly met in part by wonderful donations from Bent and Bongs Charitable Trust 2014  (Please see website ‘News’ reports dated Saturday 15th and Monday 10th November 2014) and a donation from BT People Award 2014 (Please see website ‘News’ report dated Thursday 6th November 2014)

The best of our ‘older’ Keela Munro jackets will now be individually issued to all our Support Group members.

A listing of the very comprehensive personal issue equipment given to all our operational team members can be found in the ‘Membership’ section of our website.