A fundraising campaign for a mountain rescue volunteer who suffered life-changing injuries while helping a Liverpool camper and his friend in the Lake District has almost reached the £1m mark.
Chris Lewis fell 150 metres down a steep slope while on a call-out to Red Screes, above Kirkstone Pass, in the early hours of February 6.
The 60-year-old, from the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, is expected to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Mr Lewis was called out to help the campers who were breaching lockdown rules - a 47-year-old man from Leicester who was camping with another man from Liverpool.
The casualty, who was taken to hospital with chest pains and quickly recovered, and his companion were fined for breaching covid travel restrictions.
But Mr Lewis suffered multiple facial fractures and damaged his spinal cord.
On Tuesday, a fundraising drive was launched to help with his recovery, rehabilitation and care and within just three days it had passed the £750,000 mark.
It is expected to keep growing with very sizeable donations being placed throughout Friday and looks set to hit the £1m mark within the next few days.
A statement on a JustGiving page set up to raise funds said: "Chris is one of 40 volunteers in Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, from all walks of life and a wide range of ages.
Find your nearest vaccination centre by entering your postcode below:
"The team typically responds to approximately 70 incidents a year, usually, but not always, with less tragic consequences. The severity of Chris's injuries cannot be overstated and he will need significant support for the rest of his life."
To donate visit, here.
Chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association Richard Warren said: "I've been in mountain rescue for a very long time and this is the worst accident I have seen in the last four decades. It really is hitting people hard.
"But the support is fantastic and we want to pass our thanks to everybody who has sent messages of support."
On the fundraising page, Ian Stirrups said: "As a climber and hillwalker the presence of the Mountain Rescue is a great reassurance.
"It is very sad that this time it has come at such an immeasurable cost. My thoughts are with Chris."
Another man said: "Just to wish Chris, his family and all the volunteers any positivity we can and you do so much for the general public that anything we do now is minimal in comparison but can still help.
"Stay safe."
