Penrith Mountain Rescue were left ‘very saddened’, ‘angry’ and ‘dismayed’ as their collection box was vandalised and donations stolen.

The volunteers of the charity, Penrith Mountain Rescue, turned up at the Mardale Head collection box which is set in a stone wall ready for training to find the collection box had been broken into.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “After spending 1am – 7pm Saturday on a few tiring and emotionally charged call-outs, the team were very saddened, angry and dismayed to arrive for Sunday training to find our Mardale Head collection box, set in a stone wall, had been vandalised and had donations stolen.

“We have kick started our new base project and the team are working really hard to fundraise for this, so having donations stolen does impact the future for us.”

The Mountain Rescue teams around Cumbria are entirely voluntary and rely on donations and the generosity of the public to stay operational and to be able to go out and help people in need when they call upon.

The spokesperson added: “Thank you to those who have been supportive and donated since this incident already, it really means a lot and it’s good to know that support does outshine incidents like this and the team have been really appreciative of this.

“If you can, please help us to maintain our emergency search and rescue service by donating to the team here.

“If anyone saw this incident happen between the 1st and 6th of July 2025, or has any information which may assist the investigation, please contact the police on 101 quoting incident log number CP-20250707-0111.

“Thank you from everyone at Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.”