FUNDRAISERS bidding to raise £500,000 to build a new mountain rescue base have almost reached the half-way point.

Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team (RPMRT) launched their campaign last October after outgrowing their current base in Clegg Street, Haslingden.

The Lancashire Telegraph’s parent company, Gannett which runs The Gannett Foundation, contributed more than £20,000 earlier this year.

The team has secured more than £25,000 in cash donations while their current base has a potential sale value of £200,000.

Team leader Andy Simpson said: “We officially launched the appeal a year ago but we only seriously started fundraising nine months ago after we received planning permission for the new site.

“I would say we are fast approaching the half way point, but we still have a long way to go before we can start building the new base.

“The donation from The Gannett Foundation bought 40 new uniforms and all new protective clothing that we desperately needed.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation towards the new base in Manchester Road, Haslingden, can text Base11 plus the amount they wish to pledge to 70070.