On exercise with the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team

ON call every hour of every day, the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team operates across the exposed and often treacherous terrain of the western Yorkshire Dales in the worst of weathers, yet they regard their biggest challenge as being the constant need for fundraising.

The team comprises highly trained volunteers who provide an emergency service in the bleak and rugged landscapes of Wensleydale and Swaledale, but as they make up one of the six teams in the North-East Search and Rescue Association, they can be called on to respond anywhere – they recently assisted during the serious flooding in York and Cumbria.

In July 1968, 12 local men responded to their first reported incident; today, there are more than 40 male and female volunteers, the oldest of whom is a sprightly 65-year-old. Occupations range from civil servants to teachers or engineers, and they include both serving and ex-military personnel. Beyond humans, they also have one dog with a further two in training.

The rescue team's vehicles are their biggest expense

In the advent of an emergency, the police contact the on-call rescue leader who uses satellite technology to see which resources and members are available for deployment.

The operational head of the team is Rescue Controller Steve Clough who takes charge of incidents on the ground. State of the art radios also enable easy communication with other emergency services such as the police, fire, and ambulance. They have already conduced joint exercises with the newly-privatised Bristow Group helicopter search and rescue service.

A typical incident that they are called to is either a search for a missing person or to assist someone with lower limb fractures. Two local black spots are the picturesque River Cover and the scenic Leyburn Shawl – they are regularly to emergencies at both locations.

Lead Equipment Officer David Furnace has been with the team for six years, having joined after he discovered the body of a man who had died during heavy snow.

Recently, he took part in both the York and Carlisle operations. He said: “We have two boats which were extremely useful when we were checking properties and evacuating people, although some of the residents wouldn’t leave without their pets.”

Training usually lasts 18 months before you can become a full team member. First aid is one of the highest priorities with all rescuers trained at a basic level. Several are qualified to higher standard and permitted to administer drugs, and there are two doctors on the team.

Mr Clough said: “We take training very seriously and so everybody knows what to do, often without being specifically told, which makes things a lot easier.”

I joined them on an exercise on a cold Sunday morning at Crackpot Cave where a "volunteer casualty" was rescued from a wet, foreboding, deep hole in the ground. Despite the conditions, the team members were all bright-eyed and brimming with enthusiasm.

Alan Woodhead shows a small entrance to a cave through which the team can be called to a rescue

When in the field, they are always very sympathetic with their casualties, be they victims of the weather, bad luck or a failure to take proper precautions.

When I asked if any victims had ever been team members, there was loud laughter and then someone said: "One or two of the team have been rescued themselves.” They became rather coy when pressed for further details.

The annual running costs for the team are about £22,000. Vehicles Officer Graham Brown, whose 35 years of service make him the longest-running member, said: “Although all our members give their time for free, vehicles are our biggest item of expenditure

“We have three vehicles: two Land Rovers, a Nissan Navara plus a trailer and they are a bit of a nightmare to fund.”

The woman with the unenviable task of finding regular sources of income is Fundraising Officer Jill Armstrong. She explained that local people are especially generous, and they receive money from donations, collections, and providing medical cover at events such as the Tour de France.

The latest challenge is to find £20,000 for new waterproof outerwear for the whole team. Steve Clough explained:” We have waterproof jackets, trousers, boots, a down jacket, a defibrillator, first aid kit, rope, climbing harness, helmet, torch, and vhf radio. The equipment appeal is just for the waterproofs which cost about £500 per set.”

The group is extremely grateful that the Gunnerside Estate has offered to pay half the cost, and Jill is optimistic they can fund-raise the rest. Victims are always very thankful, sending letters, cards and sometimes donations. Occasionally, a rescued casualty organises a fundraising event, although the team don’t push this though as they don’t want to embarrass anyone.

The purpose-built headquarters at Catterick Garrison, which opened in 1999, hosts visits from organisations like schools, cubs and scouts, and team members are always keen to be active in their community – if asked, they will readily give a presentation on their role.

Chairman Paul Denning said: "Swaledale Mountain Rescue is a team. It takes all sorts of people with a range of skills to make us into the effective body we are.”

For more information about Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, visit swaledalemrt.org.uk or donate via JustTextGiving (text SMRT16 £5 to 70070) or via their JustGiving web page (justgiving.com/smrt).