RocketTheme Joomla Templates
     
Home arrow Swiftwater Rescue Headlines arrow Four decades of saving lives in the UK
Four decades of saving lives in the UK PDF Print E-mail
Darlington, UK - Forty years of life-saving are being celebrated with the 40th anniversary of the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.
Formed by 12 keen walkers in 1968, the SMRT has been involved in some of the most dramatic rescues in the region over the years and its 35 highly-trained volunteer members - as well as its two rescue dogs - can be called out at any time of the day or night, 365 days of the year.

Volunteer Geoff Gamble, a freelance teacher, joined SMRT last year after reading a feature about the team in The Northern Echo.
advertisement

"I have always been an outdoor sort of person, and the article was the inspiration I needed to join SMRT," he said.

"It takes about 12 to 18 months to get fully trained, and it's a massive commitment. But for me it's been worth every minute."

Last summer, 30 volunteers spent two days searching for the body of a 17-year-old soldier washed away as he tried to cross a swollen beck, and members have spent many hours searching in Swaledale for the missing teenager Jenny Nicholl.

They were also involved in the rescue operation following the military helicopter crash near Catterick last year, which killed three soldiers and injured nine others.

All the volunteers are trained in basic life support, with some qualified in more advanced medical care, and the team now also has its own Swiftwater Rescue Unit to cope with the increasing number of rescues in floods and swollen rivers.

As a registered charity the SMRT receives no government funding, and must raise at least £25,000 each year to cover basic costs like training, building upkeep and equipment. For the past three years they have been trying to raise an additional £95,000 to replace two rescue vehicles.

Coun Melva Steckles, leader of Richmondshire District Council, cut the cake at the team's anniversary celebrations, held at the Catterick Garrison headquarters.

She said: "The SMRT team play a vital role in our emergency services and in our community, and I was delighted to be asked to cut the cake.

"They do an absolutely outstanding job."

For details about how to make a donation, or about becoming a volunteer, visit www.swaledalemrt.org.uk.

By Philippa Weighell
4:50pm Monday 7th July 2008
http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/display.var.2383187.0.four_decades_of_saving_lives.php
 
feed image

Rescue Headlines

Swiftwater Rescue Headlines Aug 2008
Swiftwater Rescue Headlines July 2008
Swiftwater Rescue Headlines May 2008
Swiftwater Rescue Headlines April 2008
Swiftwater Rescue Headlines March 2008
Swiftwater Rescue Headlines February 2008
Miracle Rescue of Woman Whose Car Landed...