This week we were delighted to be invited along to Drumnadrochit Boys Brigade where volunteers Anita, Lucas and Chris ran our bespoke first aid awareness workshop. It is designed to make children aware of first aid and what to do in an emergency.

Big thank you to Monica and the team for inviting us along. 

  Thank you to An Talla and Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises for supporting us recently at an afternoon at Dochgarroch. Funds raised will go to help us support people in need. Thank you to volunteers Helen and Anita, and Jacobite crewmember Linda (who is also a MERT volunteer!)  

 As well as using our skills to provide incident support and event medical cover we also enjoy passing those skills on to others.

Dave has been running a course in Kyle of Lochalsh recently sharing knowledge and experience to give others vital skills which may help save a life. Well done to all those attending and thanks to Dave for running the course.  

If you know a local community group who would like some first aid training or just a skills resfresh, please do get in touch.

Following the devastation of Storm Éowyn, MERT were asked by the electricity network company SSEN to once again assist them support customers with no power with medical and welfare checks. Mert have been assisting over the last few years during storms and volunteers were more than willing to help.

We deployed volunteers and our 4 x 4 truck to the SSEN depot in Oban,  where we made up welfare packs, hot water flasks and mobile phone charging packs and received a list of customers registered on the SSEN Priority Register scheme to check on throughout the Kintyre peninsular

Over the course of two days they visited customers to check on their medical needs and organise or deliver essential items during the power outage. The remoteness of the area plus the damage caused by the storm proved challenging, volunteers even had to cut and remove tree debris from some roads and tracks in order to gain access to properties. 

SSEN deployed food vans in various locations throughout the area, MERT were able to use our powered heat box in the vehicle to collect food from these and deliver them to customers who may not be able to make themselves hot food.

Our work with partner agencies allows MERT the opportunity to be able to help more people within our communities especially during emergencies.

What a fabulous night! The Inverness Best Bar None Awards were held at the Mercure Hotel, bringing together 150 guests for a wonderful evening celebrating excellence in hospitality. Eighteen individual venues were recognised for their outstanding contributions to creating a safe and welcoming environment in the city.  

MERT were chosen by the hospitality venues and door staff as their chosen charity to support due to our volunteers comitment to Operation respect and helping out with medical cover in the city centre.

There to represent MERT on the night and collect the donation from the money raised by the raffle were volunteers Alan, Lucas and Ray.

MERT were once again happy to donate their time & 4x4 and volunteer to help cover the annual Rotary Club of Dingwall Tractor parade through Dingwall, Contin, Muir of Ord and the Showground. 

Thanks to all those who stood out waving at all the drivers and their glitzed up machines and so generously donated to the collection buckets.

As 2024 draws to a close, once again our volunteers were braving the elements - and party goers - to provide medical cover every December weekend and Hogmanay in Inverness city centre till the wee small hours.

Alongside our partners Inverness BID, Scottish Ambulance Service, Police Scotland and the Inverness Street Pastors, we helped a number of members of the public as well as door staff deal with a number of incidents.

A great big thank you to all our volunteers giving up their own festivities to help look after everyone.

Well done to the staff of The Innes Bar in Inverness who not only fundraised to buy their own AED, but also took part in a wee crash course and learnt how to use it along with CPR.

Many thans to our volunteers Molly and Fiona for going along to help

The time of year for the world famous Loch Ness Marathon once again. Several mobile teams of volunteers helped cover the course (as well as the 5k and 10k routes) assisting partner agencies such as the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Volunteers greeted people at the finish line and offered any assistance, while others manned the Field Hospital.

Out on the course two of our medical volunteers took the opportunity to grab a snap with one participant who was determined to make it a memorable marathon!

Music events aren't all glamour, the public think that events like the Black Isle Belter at the Black Isle Brewery are glamarous occasions. However, backstage can be a challenge to the artists and First Aid team.

Luckily the weekend went without a hitch, great music, great event and a fun time had by all with thanks to our able volunteer Medical team for giving up their time to help keep the public - and artists - safe.

Just a small hosing down of workwear and boots required at the end!

Going out isn’t just about having a good time, but also about staying safe.

Tonight sees one of our volunteer First Responder teams out in Inverness city centre keeping the public safe, ensuring everyone has a good night and responding to any medical emergencies or any assistance we can give. Working in collaberation with the door security staff, police and Inverness CCTV.

Inverness City Centre BID #staysafe Inverness Street Pastors

Emergencies mean different things to different people. Pet owners know that pets are family.

One of our volunteers was asked to assist with the search for a family pet who had got lost whilst walking up in a mountain near Cluanie Inn. A drone was used to search along some of the paths and inside a deer fence in case they were stuck inside of it.

Unfortunately, so far, there has been no sign. We hope they will be found soon.  

Another regular event for our volunteers though a bit further from home than normal. Our team were out in Angus providing event medical cover at Ride the North.

Using vehicles, the teams shadowed riders over the course, responding to any incidents or calls for assistance on the route.

Starting and finishing in Arbroath the cyclists did a 100mile route, Extra reserach into treatment of saddle sores may have been required!

August seen our volunteers provide medical cover at the Ross-shire EGS Laminitis fun show at Sheep Park on the Black Isle.  If your roses need fed, this is the place to be!  

Much of what we do is through delivery of first aid or first responder services at event. We provide certified training for volunteers and development training to ensure your skills are up to date and you not just qualified but competent to be there to help others when they need it most. 

Volunteering can be fun, sociable and rewarding. All equipment is provided and expenses are paid to ensure there is no financial barrier from volunteering. Drop us a message if you are interested.