A Highland mountain rescue team has struck a three-year kit deal with a major outdoor wear manufacturer.

Assynt Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) has signed the deal with leading outdoor brand Helly Hansen.

Assynt MRT works with the police, coastguard and other agencies volunteering to provide 24/7 year-round search and rescue support.

The team is available, any time, any day, in any weather.

Helly Hansen and Assynt MRT say they have one common goal: to save lives in the mountains. In support of this goal, Helly Hansen has developed a bespoke best-in-class mountain rescue responder kit with the aim of protecting rescue volunteers against the UK’s unique temperate weather conditions and varied landscapes.

Helly Hansen will also be working with the team and its volunteers to educate outdoor enthusiasts on mountain safety.

Assynt MRT must tackle tough landscapes and experience the diverse changeable UK weather that can test even the most resilient of volunteers. Over the past year, the team has vigorously tested product from Helly Hansen’s mountain collection and provided valuable first-hand feedback.

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These insights have helped the brand to develop the new range.

The full three-layer system is designed to allow volunteers to feel safe and comfortable in their kit, so they can concentrate on their role saving lives in the mountains. The team will be instrumental in providing further feedback and insights to evolve Helly Hansen’s collections over the three-year partnership.

Tim Hamlet, team leader at Assynt MRT, said: “Assynt Mountain Rescue are pleased to enter into a partnership with Helly Hansen to develop a range of clothing suitable for the demanding needs of a Scottish mountain rescue team. We welcome the support and encouragement towards a shared goal of making rescues in the worst conditions more comfortable for our volunteers."

Piers Barnes, Helly Hansen UK 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.”

Assynt MRT joins Helly Hansen’s 55,000 global professionals, from Olympian athletes to search and rescue professionals such as the RNLI and Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue in Ireland.

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