Funding
The Team is an entirely voluntary organisation and accepted as a charity by the Inland Revenue under reference XR8 2794. We rely almost totally on fundraising to equip and run our team. We receive some grant aid from the Sports Council of Northern Ireland towards training and equipment costs, but otherwise we rely on charitable donations and fundraising.
Our annual running costs are in the region of £10000 - £15000. Essentially expenditure is towards:
- paying for training courses for members;
- replacing damaged or older equipment;
- maintaining our vehicles; and
- insurance costs.
Along with applications to grant giving bodies, a large amount of our income is generated from fundraising events throughout the year. Like all Mountain Rescue Teams across the country, we rely on the generosity of many individuals, groups and organisations to help raise the funds that are necessary to run the team.
We raise our funds in many different ways; we usually try to arrange several big fundraising events every year in order to increase our coffers. These events can take the form of flag days, car boot sales or sponsored events where the members of the public can help us to raise money. Collection boxes in some local shops also help considerably with the raising of funds.
Much of our income comes in the form of small, annual, donations from the likes of private individuals, clubs and organisations and people we've rescued. In addition to this team members undertake talks and lectures to interested groups, and many of these groups make donations as their way of thanking us.
