Brecon Mountain Rescue Team has launched a vital fundraising appeal to build a much-needed new headquarters backed by Kate Humble.

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.

Yet they receive no government or external funding and operate on an entirely voluntary basis. The growing demand for their help means they are in urgent need of a new base.

Now they have launched a public fundraising appeal to raise £99,000 towards building a new £1.1million headquarters on the outskirts of Brecon, to respond more quickly to emergencies, and to create an “educational hub”.

The team has already raised £750,000 from fundraising efforts over the past 10 years, and now they are appealing for help to achieve their final target.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team leader, Dr Rob Powell, explains why a new base is so essential: “For more than 50 years, our dedicated volunteers have saved lives throughout mid Wales, not only on the mountains, but also in towns, rivers and lakes across the region, and we have never been busier,” he said.

“We provide specialist search, medical, and rescue services, and work closely with the police, ambulance and fire services when they receive a call for help, but are unable to find, reach or rescue those in need.

“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 depressed or suicidal, flood victims, and missing adults and children.

“We are an entirely volunteer run and self-funded charity and the growing demand for our help has left us in urgent need of a bigger, better building

“Now we are hoping our community will show us their support and help us reach our target, so that we can build a base that will benefit the whole region well into the future.”

The new headquarters will be designed to help the team respond quicker to emergency calls, store life-saving equipment properly and carry out more training exercises as a full team. Having a bigger training room will also enable other community organisations, such as Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Ramblers Cymru, to use the new headquarters for educational purposes.

The fundraising campaign is being backed by television presenter, Kate Humble, who lives in the region, and is the official ambassador for the campaign.

Kate said: “The Brecon Mountain Rescue team receives no government or external funding. Its members give up their time on an entirely voluntary basis. Their dedication, professionalism and generosity has saved hundreds of lives over the years and never more so than in recent times.

“As someone who has spent many happy hours walking in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park, I am aware of what an enormous privilege it is to have a team such as this in the local area.

“The work they do for this community and its visitors is vital and invaluable. I’m delighted to give them and their fundraising campaign my wholehearted support.”

To find out more about how you can support Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, please visit www.breconmrt.co.uk

To make a donation to the new HQ appeal, please visit GoFundMe.com/BMRT-new-hq-999