Mountain Rescue England and Wales
Volunteer mountain rescue — on call 24/7, 365 days a year
In an emergency on the hills: call 999 (or 112), ask for Police, then ask for Mountain Rescue.
Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) supports volunteer mountain rescue teams that search for and recover people in upland, moorland and other difficult terrain. Teams provide casualty care, technical rope rescue, swift‑water rescue and mutual aid to other emergency services. Teams are volunteer‑run and the service is free to the casualty; teams rely on public donations and fundraising.
Key Facts
Coverage
47 volunteer mountain rescue teams across England and Wales.
Availability
On call 24/7, 365 days a year.
Role
Search and rescue in upland and difficult terrain; support to police, ambulance and other agencies; training and equipment standards for teams.
Funding
Teams and MREW are funded by donations, fundraising and limited grants; teams receive no direct government funding.
What Mountain Rescue Does
Search for missing or injured walkers, climbers and hill users.
Technical rope rescue and casualty evacuation.
Swift‑water and flood response where trained.
Support to major incidents and mutual aid across regions.
Mountain Rescue Teams Around England and Wales
You can explore mountain rescue teams and their locations on our interactive map.
How the Public Can Help or Get Involved
If you need Mountain Rescue
Call 999 (or 112), ask for Police, then ask for Mountain Rescue.
Volunteer
Contact your local team directly — MREW does not handle recruitment centrally.
Donate or fundraise
Support local teams or join national schemes such as Basecamp to provide regular funding.
Stay safe
Plan routes, carry navigation and emergency kit, and follow MREW safety advice before heading into the hills.
Find Out More
Visit the Mountain Rescue England and Wales website for team directories, safety advice, fundraising opportunities and more.
Visit MREW Website⚠️ UKSAR Portal is an informational website only. To report an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the appropriate service.
⚠️ UKSAR Portal is an informational website only. To report an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the appropriate service.