South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team awarded funding from Community Grant Programme to help rescue operations

In the event of a mountain emergency, the charitable organisation works with North Wales Police to help locate and rescue missing, lost, vulnerable, injured or incapacitated people in the southern part of the Eryri National Park. The team is small but covers approximately 800 square kilometres of wild, rugged and beautiful terrain, including mountains, moorland and farmland, as well as rivers and lakes.

South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team was awarded just over £16,000 from the Community Grant Programme to purchase a new stretcher and stretcher wheel to help with rescue operations in difficult terrain, digital radios for use on callouts and lightweight team jackets.

Talking about the grant, Siân Evans, fundraising officer at South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team, said:

“The funding has allowed us to acquire vital new equipment so we can continue to help people who may come into difficulty whilst enjoying the Eryri National Park.

We cover the wilder areas of the National Park where many walkers and climbers visit each year. In these more difficult parts of the landscape, it is essential that we can respond quickly to emergency calls, which will now be much easier thanks to the equipment we’ve been able to purchase using the grant funding.”

Steve Ellison, Senior Project Manager for the Eryri VIP project, said:

“The funding National Grid has provided will help South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team to continue its crucial lifesaving work. The Community Grant Programme is all about supporting local, not-for-profit organisations, so it’s great to see this funding go to an organisation dedicated to keeping the local community and those visiting the area safe.”

The Community Grant Programme is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas affected by National Grid Electricity Transmission’s operations and construction activities.

The next window for applications to the Community Grant Programme will open in April 2026. Further information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply is available on National Grid’s website at: https://www.nationalgrid.com/community-grant-programme