Zen Internet gives Mountain Rescue Team improved Internet connection

Oldham Mountain Rescue Team

Local Internet Service Provider, Zen Internet, is donating a free broadband service to the office of the Mountain Rescue Team in Oldham. This will be a massive boost to the charity, which relies entirely on the generosity of the public and businesses to stay active. Moving away from a basic dial up connection, the team can make use of a faster and more efficient way of connecting to the Internet.

The ZenADSL Home 500 service and the equipment provided by Zen will allow the rescue team to enhance the way they currently use the Internet. This includes sending pager messages to call-outs, receiving the latest information on incidents and keeping the team members in contact with each other and the main office by e-mail. It will allow data and information to be accessible 24 hours a day, including remote access for the team. This solution will also take away the worry of online call charges which the rescue service currently have when using dial-up.

Mick Nield, Team Leader, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, said: "We're delighted with the offer from Zen for broadband access and the various opportunities it brings. This will allow us to redevelop our ageing team Web site and build new services for team members and the public alike."

The Rescue Team have been in service in Oldham since 1964. They carry out a range of services, all voluntary and on a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year basis. This includes working alongside the police, when the rescue team can use their training and experience in specialist areas. They also look for overdue walkers, and provide first aid and assistance in evacuations of casualties alongside the Ambulance service and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue helicopters. Members of the team provide their own equipment; and this can cost up to £1,000. Due to these costs and the need to cover running costs approaching £20,000 a year, anything they receive to reduce this total, including the Internet connection, is a great help.

Iain Johnstone, Sales and Partner Programme Manager, Zen Internet, explained: “We are delighted that we have been able to assist this very worthy cause and feel that the dedication and hard work of the rescue team deserved a service that would improve working conditions for them.”