A company that was created and developed in Kendal has just launched a very sustainable and charitable range of dog toys. 

Fell Dog has teamed up with Mountain Rescue England & Wales to make good use of their retired rescue rope and also to support the charity.

£2 from every sale to goes to mountain rescue teams with Coniston Mountain Rescue Team, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain rescue team already donating their old rope. 

Founder Carolyn Harker, 47, is a technical clothing designer with over 20 years of experience and has worked for leading brands such as Low Alpine, Berghaus and Rab.

The Westmorland Gazette: Rope has already been donated by mountain rescue teamsCarolyn is originally from Teeside and live in Kendal for around 15 years. She recently moved to Bowes.

She said: "I actually came up with the idea for the business whilst I was in Kendal during lockdown. It was during a wild moment out on a Lake District fell with my dog, Tilley, and it struck me as the wet weather rolled in - I'm wearing waterproof gear, why isn't my dog?

"The storm passed but Tilly’s collar remained wet for hours and soon smelt pretty bad.

"At a time when then work has dried up for everybody during lockdown I decided to try and turn my expertise into making a more durable, quick-drying and stink-free solution for dogs."

The Westmorland Gazette: Alfie from @lifewithmyspaniels Instagram wearing a Fell Dog harness

In December 2023, Carolyn was to have a fated meeting with mountain rescue teams during Hawkshead Christmas market when everybody got snowed in. 

She added: "There were a lot of team members there and they told me they had all this rope that was going to landfill. Visually, the rope looks fine, however they told me that once the rope has been used in so many rescues, it can't be used again.

"Once I had the rope, it took a good few months then for me learn how to tie a knot properly - as you wouldn't believe the amount of different ways.

"So many dog toys that you buy in stores are quite flimsy these days however I've made sure mine are very durable and rather than them go to waste, I thought this was an excellent way to mix sustainability with fundraising.

"Many people don't realise that the mountain rescue teams are volunteers so I decided to donate £2 from every Fell Dog X Mountain Rescue project dog toy."

The Westmorland Gazette: A Fell Dog leadCarolyn has used her expertise to come up with a good quality range of products for dogs including collars, leads, harnesses, dog accessories and waterproof items. 

To find out more, visit the Fell Dog website.