A new limited-edition gin created by The Lakes Distillery is set to raise thousands of pounds to support the work of Mountain Rescue teams across Cumbria.

Gearing up for peak tourist season, The Lakes Distillery has designed The Lakes Mountain Strength Gin to support the work of those volunteers who give up their time and risk their lives to rescue others across Cumbria and the National Park.

News and Star: Cockermouth MRT at the event on May 30Cockermouth MRT at the event on May 30 (Image: Cockermouth MRT)

Inspired by the dedication of the Mountain Rescue teams, The Lakes Distillery will use this special release to support their work to educate visitors about being ‘Adventure Smart’.

At 51% ABV, the alcohol by volume represents the increase in annual call outs that Cumbria Mountain Rescue teams have seen in the 10 years since the distillery opened in 2014.

The distillery has already provided £10,000 to the Lake District Foundation for investment in mountain safety messaging. With a further £5 donated to Mountain Rescue for every bottle sold, they will have raised £25,000 to support initiatives that help to decrease avoidable call-outs and promote mountain safety awareness.

News and Star: Mountain Rescue callouts have increased by 51%Mountain Rescue callouts have increased by 51% (Image: Supplied)

The Lakes Mountain Strength Gin was launched at a special event at the distillery on May 30, at which members of all 12 teams in the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA) were invited.

James Pennefather, chief executive of The Lakes Distillery, said: "Mountain Strength Gin highlights the increasing demands on our volunteer services and the money raised will be invested in mountain safety messaging, helping to reduce the number of call outs."

Richard Warren, member of Wasdale MRT and LDSAMRA added: “We cannot emphasise enough how helpful and important this financial support will be to sharing our safety messaging as far and wide as possible.

“The number of callouts across the Lake District and Cumbria are increasing again. Hopefully, the #BeAdventureSmart campaign will help to reduce the growing number of callouts to a more manageable level.

"Our volunteer team members give up their time freely to help those desperately in need of rescue and are very grateful for The Lakes Distillery’s support.”

The first new gin created by the distillery since 2020, The Lakes Mountain Strength Gin’s will be available throughout Cumbria and retails at £38.50.