The South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team has been named a regional winner of the Jewson Building Better Communities competition, with the project scooping £10,000 worth of materials and labour.

The rescue team based in Trawsfynydd is a voluntary organisation, and is fundraising to construct a purpose-built base within the local community. The team works tirelessly to support those in trouble, and needs a base that is located closer to the mountains.

Rob McIntosh, Volunteer with the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team, commented: “We’re very honoured and privileged to have been awarded £10,000, which will help towards our project of building a new base for operations. The money will help us to start the initial building development and, hopefully, we can encourage even more generous donations from the local community.”

The South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team was invited to join the 25 other winners at an awards ceremony at the University of Nottingham on Wednesday, July 5, where celebrity architect, George Clarke, presented the prizes.

George Clarke commented: “I’ve been so impressed with the projects and amount of causes helped over the past few years, so it’s been an honour to have supported the Building Better Communities competition from Jewson. The funds donated will help the groups and charities make huge improvements to their buildings and, ultimately, make a difference to the communities of today and of the future.”

The competition was launched in March 2017 and saw the prize fund doubled for its third year. More than 2,000 entries were submitted and, with the help of Jewson employees and suppliers, the number was narrowed down to a shortlist of 42. This was then put to a public vote and, following further judging, Jewson announced the winners.

Bleddyn Williams, Branch Manager at Jewson South Snowdonia, said: “Massive congratulations to The South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team! We received a record number of entries this year, so this really is a huge achievement for all of the winning projects.

“We know there are community groups doing great work up and down the country, and they all deserve to be given a much-needed helping hand. We’re glad that we’ve been able to give them some of the resources they need to continue improving the lives of people around them.”

This year the competition was supported by a number of Jewson partners, including Velux, Norbord, Marshalls, Polypipe, Recticel, Tarmac and British Gypsum.

To see the full list of winners, visit: www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk