Chris Lewis Lager raising support for search and rescue superheroes!

Following the near-fatal accident that befell “Chris Lewis”, a local Patterdale Mountain Rescue volunteer, the directors at Hargreaves Enterprises, who are local and keen hill goers themselves, felt compelled to raise awareness of businesses' and customers' responsibilities when visiting the fells and countryside.

David Hampshaw the Operations Director at Hargreaves Enterprises who knows Chris said “Chris and all the team of volunteers are totally selfless, and in our eyes prove that not all heroes wear capes. We felt we had to try and help where we could.”

Following the incident, the directors looked at how they could contribute to support the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association Teams (LDSAMRA). For them, it was important that it was done in a relevant way. As a hospitality business, Hargreaves Enterprises decided they would focus on something close to their and Chris’s heart, a good pint!

They teamed up with a long-term partner, Hawkshead Brewery, based up the road in the quaint village of Staveley, to release the ‘Chris Lewis Lager' to raise funds for all LDSAMRA teams. This Munich-style Pale Lager is sold on draught at the Lake View Garden Bar and BAHA (reopening on May 17th) with a percentage of the profits from sales going to LDSAMRA. Hargreaves Enterprises invites locals and tourists alike to come and join them for a pint and help raise proceeds to support these capeless superheroes in our community.

Richard Warren, Chairman of LDSAMRA who represents the teams said “Chris’s life-changing accident shocked the mountain rescue community to the core and everyone is wishing Chris and his family the very best for their future. The support from well-wishers has been overwhelming and it is fantastic to have Hargreaves Enterprises partnering with Hawkshead Brewery to produce the ‘Chris Lewis Lager’ which both honours Chris and raises funds for Cumbria’s twelve volunteer mountain rescue teams.

In addition to pouring this fantastic locally-produced beer to support LDSAMRA, Hargreaves Enterprises will use its huge social media reach across its businesses to publish informative content with the goal of raising the crucial awareness that both locals and visitors need to act responsibly when venturing into the fells. They believe this is yet another crucial role they can play. Their aim is to pass on valuable and life-saving information to reach those who might not follow or be aware of Mountain Rescue, both in the Lake District and across the UK.

Together both Hawkshead Brewery and Hargreaves Enterprises hope that this joint effort will be another arm of support to the LDSAMRA teams and that through these actions, other hospitality businesses will be inspired to join them in educating customers and raising funds for this vital service, ran by that volunteer their time to rescue those who need help.