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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, at Setmurthy near Bassenthwaite Lake, 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.

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’.

Extending the reach of the Mountain Rescue team’s messaging, the Cumbrian distillery will target the 30,000 people who visit their Brand Home and, with special neck collars on the Mountain Strength Gin, help to share the importance of the ‘Adventure Smart’ message through retailers and pubs in the area.

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 callouts and promote mountain safety awareness.

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

James Pennefather, chief executive of The Lakes Distillery, said, “We are really looking forward to welcoming the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue teams to the distillery at our Mountain Strength Gin launch.

“It will be a wonderful opportunity for our team and guests visiting the distillery to learn more about the Mountain Rescue’s Adventure Smart campaign and meet some of the amazing volunteers who respond to calls in all weathers and times of day.

“Made to be enjoyed responsibly, and only after a safe day of walking on the fells, 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.

“Currently, nearly 30% of all Cumbria’s Mountain Rescue incidents are avoidable lost and overdue situations that could be prevented by planning adventurous activities beforehand. 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 higher ABV is said to accentuate the citrus notes of the classic Lakes Gin and allow earthy notes to come to the fore when served with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic.

Available throughout Cumbria, including the George & Dragon, at Clifton, and The Inn at Grasmere, the gin will retail at £38.50 (70cl) in Booths, independent outlets, and direct from the distillery.