A Highland mountain rescue team has launched an online appeal for funds to help pay for a secure garage after thieves stole £12,000 worth of rescue equipment from its previous store.
Since the break-ins a year ago, Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team has raised almost £20,000 towards the cost of building an extension to its existing rescue centre in Glencoe.
But the team, which is one of the busiest in Scotland, still needs a further £30,000 to £40,000 to cover the full cost of the project.
And it has now issued an appeal on a social networking site asking their followers to make a donation to the value of the cost of a pint.
Team leader John Grieve said planning permission, the building control paperwork and tenders for the extension were all in place.
And it is hoped that work will start before the end of the year with the new garage being in use by next spring.
Mr Grieve said: “We’re going to go ahead and start work on the building using the money that has come in so far and a contingency fund we have for the building.
“But we really need to replace this money as we never know what donations we will get the following year.”
He added that as well making sure their equipment was secure, it would also be more convenient to have all their vehicles and kit in one place.
The team’s previous store on the old Glencoe Hospital site was broken into on two consecutive nights in November last year and thieves made off with equipment, including a quad bike, radios and life jackets.
However, the team did not miss a single rescue as it had another quad bike and used equipment belonging to members to fill the gap.
Donations poured in following publicity about thefts and these, together with insurance payments, covered the cost of replacing the stolen items.
But they need further funds to help pay for the building work.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at www.justgiving.com/glencoemountainrescue/Donate/