MORE than £300 was raised for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association with a fish and chip lunch in Ben Rhydding.

The event, at the Wheatley Hotel, was organised by Lower Wharfedale Ramblers. Following the lunch, Howard Driver, a Trustee of the UWFRA gave a talk on the association’s history, current practices and future challenges.

The organisation, which started in 1948 using a disused railway carriage at Grassington Railway Station, is one of 48 similar associations spread across the UK. Its mission is to rescue humans and animals, above and below ground. UWFRA has around 80 volunteers, plus specially trained dogs.

Amanda Aherne, LWR committee member who organised the lunch said the Lower Wharfedale Ramblers offered five walks a week ranging from 14 miles for the very fit to three miles for those seeking some gentle social exercise.