DID you know that by tasting a few ales at the bar you could help a mountain rescue team save lives?

Thanks to a donation from Dunfermline Round Table, Ochils Mountain Rescue have taken delivery of three ‘first response’ medical bags – and it’s all down to cash raised at the Dunfermline Charity Beer Festival.

This year’s two-day beer extravaganza begins tomorrow (Friday) at the Glen Pavilion and proceeds will be split between the Round Table and Dunfermline Rugby Club’s youth section.

The Round Table’s share is given to good causes and the volunteer mountain rescue team, based at Fishcross near Dollar, was awarded £900 to buy three first response kits.

Kevin Mitchell, former team leader, explained: “We used to cover just the Ochil range but now cover all of Fife, including the East and West Lomond hills. We provide medical rescue to non-ambulance accessible areas such as Blairadam Forest, and these ‘first response’ bags are used by those first on the scene to give treatment until others arrive.”

Dominic Collings, of the Round Table, added: “Fishcross would usually sit outside our donation remit but . now the rescue centre covers Fife including Dunfermline, a donation was highly appropriate.

"These specialised first aid kits save lives and that’s something Round Table is proud to support, but the donation was only possible due to money raised at the Dunfermline Beer Festival.”

This year’s festival, backed by the Press, starts tomorrow and will serve up ales, wine, ciders and, for the first time, a gin bar.

It runs from 5pm-1am tomorrow and from 12-4pm and 7pm-1am on Saturday. Tickets cost £12 on the door.