Rescue team in vehicle honour

TWO former members of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team will be honoured when a pair of new ambulances are unveiled.

After months of fund-raising in which thousands of pounds were given in donations, the team has finally been able to buy two new Land Rovers and have them kitted out with specialist equipment.

Costing £90,000 in total, the new vans, equipped with with roll bars, winches and stretchers, are already being used for training exercises.

But it is not until the team’s open day on Sunday, May 8, that they will be officially dedicated.

One will be dedicated to John Edwards, a member for 20 years and former chairman who died suddenly of a heart attack last year.

The other will serve to remember John Gardiner, a member for almost 30 years who died after a fall in 2004 while he was climbing.

The unveiling will be a poignant landmark for team members who have worked hard to secure the funds over the past year.

Leader Mick Neild said: “We expected it to take longer — we didn’t think we would be able to raise the money so fast.

“We’re elated that we have managed to get them. We placed the order just six months after starting the ambulance appeal.

“The communities from Oldham and Saddleworth have rallied behind us are we’re so chuffed that we can now unveil the vans.”

A £40,000 donation from the East Lancashire Marque Masons was a welcome boost to the appeal. A member of the group will officially hand over the keys.

Locals will also have the chance to witness rescue demonstrations and get up close to the search dogs during the open day at the Cross Keys in Uppermill from 11am to 4pm.