At Ruth Lee, we take enormous pride in creating training tools that help rescue professionals, and volunteers, save lives. Since launching our Volunteer Heroes Fund in 2017, we’ve been committed to supporting the incredible volunteer-led rescue teams who give up their time to keep others safe, often with limited resources.
Over the years, the Volunteer Heroes programme has supported more than 100 rescue teams worldwide, from Surf Lifesaving clubs and mountain rescue teams to community first responders and search and rescue units. You can read about some of our previous Volunteer Heroes here.
Focusing on UK Volunteer Teams for 2025
For 2025, we decided to bring the focus home, supporting volunteer teams here in the UK. We know that many of these teams are self-funded and rely heavily on donations to access the training equipment they need. The Volunteer Heroes Fund allows us to give back to those who dedicate their time and skills to protecting others – helping ensure they can train to the same high standards as professional emergency services.
This year’s fund looked a little different, offering teams access not just to manikins, but to some of the most advanced rescue training technology available today.
What Was on Offer in 2025
For this round of the Volunteer Heroes Fund, applicants could choose between two of our latest innovations:
- The Trauma Rescue Manikin – Our newest manikin combines the realism and durability Ruth Lee is known for with advanced trauma care features. Teams can train for scenarios involving bleeding control, CPR, airway management, and realistic casualty handling – preparing them for complex, high-pressure rescue situations.
- RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package – A first-of-its-kind system that brings Ruth Lee manikins to life through mixed reality technology. Using a headset and digital overlays, RL360 immerses trainees in real-world rescue environments, where they can practise key procedures and processes needed when assessing and treating casualties in a variety of scenarios.
Both products represent a major step forward in rescue training realism, and for many volunteer teams, they offer access to tools that would normally be outside their budget.
Announcing the 2025 Recipients
This year, we received 48 applications from volunteer rescue teams across the UK – one of our most competitive years to date. Every team that applied demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism, and heart, making the selection process incredibly tough.
After careful consideration, we’re proud to announce the six teams who have been selected as the 2025 Volunteer Heroes Fund recipients:
RL360 Mixed Reality Training Package (including 30kg Duty Manikin)
Trauma Rescue Manikin
- Order of Malta Ambulance Corps – Armagh & Coalisland Units
- Tees River Rescue
- Central Beacons Mountain Rescue
We wish we could support every team that applied – each one plays an invaluable role in their community. Our hope is that this year’s donations will help the chosen teams enhance their training, strengthen their preparedness, and ultimately, save more lives.
Continuing Our Commitment to the Rescue Community
The Volunteer Heroes Fund is just one part of our wider social commitment. Beyond this initiative, we continue to support global lifesaving organisations, educational projects, and community safety programmes.
In past years, we’ve donated training manikins to teams across Europe and North America, partnered with the International Lifesaving Federation and RLSS Commonwealth to support low-resource nations, and even installed public access defibrillators within our local communities.
We’re incredibly proud of the ongoing impact of Volunteer Heroes – and we’re already looking forward to the next round.
To stay up to date and be the first to hear when applications reopen, visit our Social Commitment page or follow us on social media.