A glamping site in the North East of England has hosted a special event for members of its local mountain rescue team.
Herding Hill Farm near Haltwhistle in Hadrian’s Wall country has long supported the charity, raising much-needed funds to help run operations.
Now, it has gone one step further and welcomed the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team to the site for some well-earned rest and recuperation.
Sue Humphreys, site manager at Herding Hill, said: “Many of our guests are keen walkers and enjoy making the most of our location near Hadrian’s Wall so it’s important to us that we support charities which are close to their hearts.
“The North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team does an amazing job and we want to do everything we can to support the essential search and rescue service which they provide for our region.”
Over the past three years, fundraising efforts at the site have seen more than £1,600 being donated to the rescue crew.
Two annual charity weekends are held at Herding Mill to generate funds for the rescuers and the Great North Air Ambulance.
These are convened at Easter and Bonfire Night, when campers are asked to leave a donation in return for craft and treasure trail activities set up on site.
Collection boxes are also dotted around the site year-round, with all of the cash raised then matched by Herding Hill’s parent company and donated to the two charities.
Donations to North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team from Herding Hill Farm have enabled the purchase of some lifesaving equipment.
This includes a Starlink RV satellite system, which facilitates communication in even the most remote locations.
The team’s new swift water rescue operation is set to launch later in 2024 and Herding Hill has funded 12 throw lines to reach people in distress.
Rich Ayre, deputy team leader for the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, said: “As a volunteer-run organisation, we depend on money raised by businesses such as Herding Hill Farm and the general public in order to continue providing our search and rescue services.
“We are very grateful for their continued support and it’s been great to be able to mark our long association with Herding Hill Farm by spending the weekend here.”
Herding Hill offers various glamping accommodation options, including wigwam cabins and luxury lodges with hot tubs, but it also has touring and tent pitches.
The spacious hardstanding serviced pitches are suitable for caravans, motorhomes and campervans and a good base for exploring Northumberland.
Four of the touring pitches are positioned immediately opposite the amenities block for campervanners without their own facilities.
A number of large grass pitches, separated by hedges, are suitable for tents and available between Easter and October each year.
Herding Mill is a dog-friendly site, so you don’t have to leave your four-legged friend at home.
