A heartwarming festive ‘Santa Dash’ event has managed to raise an impressive total of £27,000 for the Drymen mountain rescue team in honour of Julie Mitchell, who tragically passed away in October after a water accident near Fintry. The event, dedicated to remembering Julie, succeeded in collecting enough funds to purchase two advanced search and rescue drones for the Lomond Mountain Rescue team based in Drymen. Julie’s twin sister, Lesley Kinnaird, expressed that having this equipment available could have potentially saved Julie’s life if used on the day of the incident.
Lesley highlighted the importance of having drones with thermal imaging cameras for search and rescue operations, especially in vast areas like Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The fundraising initiative saw over 86 participants, comprising walkers and runners, coming together at Milngavie Reservoir to support the cause. Lesley, who owns a fitness studio in Milngavie, reflected on the significance of the reservoir to her and Julie, as a place where they bonded over fitness activities and charitable events.
David Dodson, Team Leader at Lomond Mountain Rescue, expressed deep gratitude towards Lesley and all the participants for their support in memory of Julie. The funds raised will not only facilitate the purchase of new drones but also provide essential training for the team, enhancing their capabilities in search and rescue operations. The ultimate goal is to share this expertise and drone technology with nearby rescue teams, such as Killin and Ochils MRTs, upon request.
The Santa Dash event featured a test flight of one of the drones named ‘Julie’s Angel Wings’, symbolising the impact of the fundraising efforts. The event garnered support from various organisations like Scottish Water, East Dunbartonshire Partnership Rangers, and local radio personality Gina McKie. Participants, donned in pink Santa hats, completed the dash around the reservoir, culminating in a celebratory gathering in the town centre with hot chocolate.
For those wanting to contribute to Lesley’s ongoing efforts, donations can be made through the dedicated JustGiving page. The success of the Santa Dash not only honours Julie’s memory but also highlights the community’s unwavering support for the critical work carried out by rescue teams like Lomond Mountain Rescue.