Success on moors for dogged rescuers

Bob with owner and mountain rescue team leader Mick Neild

A HERO dog from the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team came to the aid of a stranded set of walkers on Snake Pass during its first successful mission.

Border collie Bob finished its search-and-rescue training only in January, but was ready to spring into action when an emergency call-out was made by walkers lost among the bleak Peak District.

Owner Mick Neild was summoned to Bleaklow at around 6.30pm yesterday, where a pair of hikers from Scunthorpe had lost their way in the darkness.

Starting at Woodhead Road, they had planned to tackle a circular route, but lost their bearings due to the treacherous conditions.

Heavy mist and snow on the ground made it a tough challenge as Mick, fellow Oldhamer and navigator Andy Hadfield and search-dog Bob joined over 40 other mountain-rescue volunteers for the mission.

Mick said: “It’s a big area to search and there was quite a bit of snow on the ground. We were in contact with the walkers on the phone and they found us when they heard us calling for the dog.

“Bob then followed the scent and finished off the job by scouting them out.

“They were wet and cold but we managed to find them by 9.10pm.”

The army of helpers took the shivering walkers back to Glossop police station.

Two-and-a-half year old Bob received a well-deserved pat on the back, for what was his third mission during his first working week.

Mick said: “He’s been through two years of training but only qualified recently, this is his first find!

“He’s had three call-outs this week in Middleton, Holmfirth and now this. He’s done a fantastic job and I’m really proud of him. Bob has got a great personality and temperament, he’s a lovely pet.

“We’ve been quiet on dog calls since December but no doubt they will be many more for him to tackle in the future.”



CLEVER children at Holy Trinity School, Dobcross, turned fabulous fund-raisers after raising thousands of pounds for Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT).



Pupils were each given £1 and asked to raise as much money as possible for the team.

Youngsters raised £2,816.70 in total with the most popular fund-raising ideas including buying ingredients to make cakes for sale, holding a ‘Guess the number of pasta pieces in a jar’ competition, and a ‘Which key fits’ competition.

The school presented a cheque to the mountain rescue team.

Head teacher Liz Travis said: “I’m immensely proud of all their effort and hard work which raised the most unbelievable amount the school has ever raised for a very worthy cause.”