Challenge yourself and raise some dosh for Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team - OMer Wayne Thackray explains team funding and how you can help while having a great day out.
If you read our recent news
story about mountain rescue teams pressing for government
funding, you'll be aware that teams are under fierce pressure to
generate their own running costs.
Regular OUTDOORSmagic member Wayne Thackray knows all about the
financial pressures at firsthand, as an active member of and
communications officer for Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team - seen
training below - in the northern Peak, he's right in the thick of
things.
'In between holding down our ordinary jobs and hanging on to the
remnants of family life,' he says. 'Team members have to train and
maintain their skills, maintain vital rescue equipment and vehicles,
give talks to local groups and, on top of all that, fund-raise to pay
for the upkeep of vehicles, gear and base.'
And it's not just about rescuing stricken hillgoers either:
'We are increasingly being tasked to search for missing people who
are at risk, for example children, the elderly, people with
Alzheimer's or other degenerative illness and the mentally ill. We
have even been tasked to search for body parts and evidence. We have
assisted the Ambulance services in bad weather, and team members have
travelled the country to assist with searches, rescue stranded
motorists, attend air crashes and provide help in flooded towns.'
Grin 'n' Bear It - Help The Team
One of the ways the Woodhead Team raises funds is through an
annual challenge event aimed at walkers and climbers. This is the
third year it's been run over a mix of footpaths, bridleways and open
moorland in the team's area.
There are two routes, one of 15 miles and the long route of 25
miles both to be completed within the time limit of 11 hours with
safety back-up provided by the team.
The event will take place on October 8th, 2005 from its
start/finish point at Langsett Barn on the A616 near
Penistone. There is a mass start for walkers at 8.00am and runners at
10.00 am. The entry fee is £8.00 on the day but application
forms can be downloaded from the team website at www.woodheadmrt.org.
All entrants are required to bring clothing and footwear
appropriate to this type of event, and to local weather conditions.
(Waterproofs, compass, torch) and a mug. a copy of Outdoor
Leisure/Explorer Map Sheet No 1 The Peak District, Dark Peak in
1:25,000 scale to use in conjunction with the full route description
provided. Navigation experience is required.
An adult must accompany under 18's. Parking is free and a hot meal
will be provided at the finish for all entrants. Refreshment stations
are strategically placed along the route these are also included in
the entry fee.
Donate Without Grinning and Bearing It
You can, of course, simply make a donation to the team, just send
a cheque to the address below, and be made payable to "Woodhead
Mountain Rescue Team". All monies will be gratefully acknowledged (so
an SAE would be helpful).
The Treasurer
Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team
43 Scholes Moor Road
Scholes
Holmfirth
HD7 1SN
Join The Team
If you're interested in becoming a team member and are aged
between 17 and 70, with walking/mountaineering or climbing experience
, contact Dave Crossland the Team Secretary on 01484 663937.
Support Group Members are also welcomed, for details on how to
join 'Three Six Zero' log on to www.woodheadmrt.org.
