ARRAN Mountain Rescue Team have won ‘Mountain Rescue Team of the Year’ at this year’s International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA) Flame awards for the work the volunteers did during the big snow of March last year.

With the snow-blanketed island making national and international news bulletins, the mountain rescue team worked round the clock to reach stricken islanders. The award is just the latest recognition for the all volunteer team coming after their nomination for STV’s Real Heroes Awards last year.

IFRA is a UK-based charity set up by firefighters to assist emergency services worldwide.

IFRA’s mission statement is to promote the preservation and protection of life from fire and other disasters especially in countries throughout the world that are so affected by war, civil unrest or natural disaster that they are unable to contend with an emergency from their own resources or require assistance on humanitarian grounds.

Unfortunately the team was unable to attend the ceremony and collect the award due to unforeseen circumstances but the award is being sent to them.

It was accepted on the night on their behalf by award sponsor and organiser Eezy Events’ director Chris Parry from Emmerdale star Danny Miller.