NORTH of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) have secured a new partnership with an outdoor clothing brand.

Working together with Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the mountain rescue team have signed a 3-year partnership with Helly Hansen.

Helly Hansen has developed a bespoke Mountain Rescue Responder kit with the aim of protecting the mountain rescue volunteers against the UK's changeable weather conditions and varied landscapes.

Over the past year, volunteers have tested products from Helly Hansen's Mountain Collection and provided feedback.

Helena Sansum, Team Secretary at North of Tyne MRT, said: "We're really excited about the partnership with Helly Hansen, having experienced the quality of the kit when testing the Mountain range. Our volunteers operate in all conditions and having the right kit means they can focus on the job in hand - helping those in need."

Piers Barnes, Helly Hansen UK & IRL General Manager, said: “As a brand that defines itself through its work with professionals for over 140 years, Helly Hansen has a tremendous amount of respect for mountain rescue teams and their volunteers. We know that it is trust that makes saving lives possible, trust in your team, your environment and in your kit. We are proud to be part of that and to be supporting those who willingly risk their own lives to help others.”

North of Tyne MRT deliver search and rescue cover for the whole of the Northumbria Police area. They respond to callouts 24/7, 365 days a year.

The team is made up entirely of professional and skilled volunteers and is a charity reliant upon donations and grant funding.