More than £1 million has been raised for the Patterdale mountain rescue volunteer critically injured following a 150-metre fall in February – but much more is still needed.
Chris Lewis, 60, remains in hospital after sustaining life-altering injuries during a callout to a camper suffering from chest pains at Red Screes, near Kirkstone Pass, during lockdown.
A fund set up by Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association on JustGiving to help pay for Chris’ medical needs and his family’s wellbeing, has now reached £1,029,009.86.
The sum is made up of £856,939.12 which has been directly donated and an estimated £172,214.74 of Gift Aid, which can be claimed back from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Donations have flocked in from far and wide since the news of Chris’s injuries was reported, including individual donations and money raised from activities organised by well wishers.
These have included Penrith Rugby Club, which hosted a fundraising tournament; Emma Roper, who completed the notorious Bob Graham Round; and Buxton mountain rescue team members, who donated in solidarity with their Lake District colleagues.
A spokeswoman for the Patterdale team said: “The good wishes, donations, fundraising and other support in recent weeks has been a huge encouragement to Chris and his family as well as to everyone involved with Patterdale mountain rescue team.
“It is going to be a very long haul and Chris is likely to be in hospital for the foreseeable future.
“To see the appeal in his name approach, and then surpass £1 million — when including Gift Aid —is amazing, but the team is all too aware that that sum and much more is going to be needed.”
