Beavers put hard work to good use

Asa MacDougal with the rest of the beaver scouts

Budding mountain rescuers checked out emergency equipment when members of the Oldham team visited their scout group.

Boys and girls from the Uppermill Methodist Beaver Scouts raised £166.35 for Oldham Mountain Rescue after the children, aged between six and eight, spent an evening with team members Sarah Anderson and Gareth Farnan-Jones.

Sarah and Gareth told them about training, the survival essentials they carry in rucksacks and what happens when they are called out to an emergency rescue.

The beavers had a chance to see, touch and try out a variety of equipment from emergency shelters to harnesses.

And they were so impressed they decided to raise money for vital equipment for the team, by doing jobs around the house for their families for six weeks in return for a donation.

Jo Jones, beaver leader, said: “I am very proud of these boys and girls who made a real effort and did a fantastic job in raising over £150.

“We want to encourage our young scouts to enjoy and respect their local surroundings through camping, walking and climbing but also to be aware that accidents can and do happen on the hills.

“The local Mountain Rescue team is an exceptional group of people who give up their free time to help others. I can’t think of a better local example for our beavers.”

Oldham Mountain Rescue needs more than £16,000 a year to meet running expenses.