Family & Friends Supporting Volunteers

Family & Friends Supporting Volunteers

The family and friends of volunteers all play a vital part in supporting Mountain Rescue Volunteers, without the network of support behind
our volunteers, they simply could not do what they do. We share a few different perspectives from family members of Mountain Rescue
volunteers. Everybody’s support network and ‘family’ will be different, and there are also a diverse range of experiences amongst friends and
family members, so these just represent a few of those experiences.

Ceri, daughter of Damon Oban Mountain Rescue Team

Growing up with my dad in mountain rescue was incredibly rewarding for me. I understood that he was going out to save lives and I thought that was amazing. I spent a lot of time helping with fundraisers, whether that be sponsored walks or helping at highland shows where there was a great atmosphere among the team and families.

There were times when it was harder, for example we were just sitting down to the village quiz when he got called out and had to leave. There have also been several occasions when mid meal he would be called out and we would all have to stop and help him get out the door. But in general, it was never really an issue and we were happy that he was able to go.

His association with mountain rescue allowed me to be exposed to medicine, especially in the outdoors. It was definitely one of the factors that has led to me studying medicine. I know that when I am qualified I will likely join a team myself, having seen my dad working with
them my whole life and my mum has just joined too and wanting to contribute myself.

I always felt there was a strong sense of community in the team, with other members being good friends of our family. We would go along to the Christmas dinners and meet other kids in the team.

Carol, married to Jonnie Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team

I’m a mountaineer, engineer and parent to two kids aged 1 and 4 years old. Myhusband, Jonnie, could be described in the same way plus as a mountain rescue volunteer. Jonnie has been in the team for about 5 years. In his team they are on call 24/7 as well as one planned training
day a month and they can be big days or multi days into very remote places.

Having a young family, it’s easy to feel tied to the house. For Jonnie training, and to a lesser extent, call outs, are a good opportunity to get out into the hills to get some exercise. Being relatively new to the area the team has widened our network so it helps me feel more at
home here.

The hardest part for me is being left at a moments notice, literally holding the baby. I’m scrambling to make dinner with our young kids hanging off me or another time entertaining the in-laws on my own. One of the worst timings for a call out happened when I was just
leaving with our 4 year old to take her ice skating for the first time. We hadn’t had enough mum/daughter time for a while and the skating was all pre-booked and she was so excited.

As a mountaineer myself I know that things can take unexpected turns in the hills no matter how prepared you are so I am willing to pick up the slack at home so that Jonnie can go and assist. I think it’s too easy for the public to overlook the volunteer aspect of their role. They are
not on shift, they are a parent, climbing partner or colleague.

Noah at 11 yrs, son of Christine Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team

Mountain rescue is about my mum going away and rescuing people off the hill every so often. It’s a good thing for mum to do and it doesn’t
bother me when she goes out  although sometimes if she wakes me up in the middle of the night because she has been called out it is quite
annoying. If she has been out a long time and is a bit tired when she gets back I give her a hug and some of my chocolate.

Partners and family of Mountain Rescue volunteers are not recognised as giving up their time selflessly like Mountain
Rescue members, and are a critical part of the teams. We do not thank them enough for their support of each rescue. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the family and friends of our volunteers for all they do to support our volunteers