Snow heroes honoured for rescues

Oldham Mountain Rescue Team in action earlier this year

OLDHAM’S dedicated team of mountain rescuers has won a prestigious award which will help boost its efforts to save lives.

The 50-strong Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, which has been at the forefront during a spate of snowbound incidents in the last few days, has won the Goodyear tyres Team of the Year Award.

As official safety partner to Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Goodyear launched the initiative to reward one team’s round the clock efforts and donated £2,000 to be spent on safety equipment.

Announcing Oldham as the winners, Megan Woods, from Goodyear, said: “Congratulations, after coming so close last year, I’m sure you’re very pleased to have triumphed this time round.

“The number of votes you got was impressive, so you clearly have a lot of support.”

Mick Nield, the team’s leader, said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive this award.

“It really underpins all the work done by our marvellous team of volunteers and we’d like to thank everyone who voted for us — it is appreciated.

“In the last few days alone, we have turned out more than 30 times to support ambulance services who are at full stretch and would not be able to reach people in need without our support.

“As with all the other 51 teams across England and Wales, we are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“We receive no government funding for our operations, but we are an important extension of the emergency services in our area and support the community as a whole, not only walkers and climbers.”

He added: “The £2,000 will be used to boost a new fund to replace our Land Rovers.

“Although the team turns out without any thought of reward or recognition, it is always pleasing to know that our contribution is appreciated.

“Being crowned team of the year is a significant boost to morale.”

The team, based at the Cross Keys, Uppermill, is comprehensively trained and well-equipped for its many rescues and has the services of a doctor for medical emergencies.

Last year it received a Pride in Oldham award for its work, often in difficult conditions, on the Saddleworth moors.

As part of the partnership, Goodyear pledged to fund the roll out of GPS navigational equipment to help track and provide vital rescue support.

And mountain rescue teams will also see their rescue vehicles supplied with Goodyear’s 4x4 tyres so they are ready for off-road action.

Goodyear’s communications specialist Anna Stanley said: “As experts in the field of safety and innovation, Goodyear is extremely proud to be supporting a lifesaving organisation such as Mountain Rescue.”