by Mick Ryan – UKClimbing.com The BBC who created an international news event out of this years Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) could learn a lot from the self-reliance and fund raising efforts of mountain folk.The two-day OMM endurance race, held last October, was cancelled because of severe flooding and strong winds. A major rescue effort was conducted, involving police, mountain rescue teams and the RAF. All of the nearly 3,000 participants were safe, and there no deaths or major injuries. Thirteen competitors, suffered a range of problems from hypothermia to head injuries, and were treated by Cumbrian hospitals.Since the race was cancelled individuals, businesses and the OMM have raised more than £17,000 for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA – www.ldsamra.org.uk). Talking to Ellie Hargreaves at the Kendal based Westmorland Gazette, Richard Warren of the LDSAMRA said, “£17,000 is a huge sum of money and the organisation is delighted to have been given it. We obviously survive through donations from the general public and our teams cost between £25,000 and £75,000 a year to operate. This a huge boost and the money will be shared between the 12 teams in the area.” Mike Parsons and the organising commitee of OMM have donated the event prize money, £7,000, to the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association. See also the UKClimbing.com News report: Nov 5: UKC/OMM/FRA Mountain Rescue Donations approach £10,000 by Rob Stone Video courtesy of Jeremy Webb.
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