Welcome to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary search and rescue charity and a member of Mountain Rescue England and Wales that represents 49 teams. Bolton MRT is made up entirely of volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We cover an area of over 800 square kilometres extending from Darwen in the West Pennine Moors to the north to beyond Manchester Airport in the south, and from Wigan to the west to the centre of Manchester in the east.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team
The chances are you will never need our services. However, since 1968, a great many have. Our callouts are diverse. For example, we help walkers, runners, bikers, climbers and even dogs that have found themselves in a precarious position. We also search for members of the public who are missing outside of urban areas, particularly those classed as vulnerable by the police.
It costs around £60,000 per year to run the team. Securing this amount of money each year is a constant challenge. We rely on the generosity of the public and other organisations who provide us with donations. Visit the donations page to learn more about how you can help raise money for the team.
Latest News
Christmas Cheer for a Great Cause!
Ye Jolly Crofters in Horwich are, once again, hosting a festive Christmas market to help raise vital funds for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team!
Come along for a day filled with holiday spirit — stalls, treats, raffles, local crafts, and plenty of family-friendly fun. It’s the perfect way to support a fantastic local charity while getting into the Christmas mood.
Every penny raised will help Bolton MRT continue our lifesaving work across local hills, moors, and wild places.
Date: 29th of November
Location: Ye Jolly Crofters, Horwich
Wrap up warm, bring your festive cheer, and let’s make this a Christmas market to remember!
Last weekend Bolton MRT member Ali took part in a fantastic multi-agency training event hosted by Bowland Pennine MRT. Colleagues from RAF Leeming MRT, Calder Valley SRT, and Derby MRT also attended.
Friday’s training kicked off at 1900 with an exercise callout for a downed Hawk T2 fighter jet. The search areas were challenging and realistic, with RAF Leeming MRT and Calder Valley SRT also deployed. After a long night on the hill, the exercise wrapped up at 0300.
On Saturday, MRT members were back out again for a 0900 start, responding to a scenario involving two walkers missing overnight for 12 hours. Teams from BPMRT and RAF Leeming MRT worked together across large search areas, with the exercise concluding successfully at 1800.
The weekend’s training finished on Sunday with valuable input from RAF Leeming MRT, who delivered a fascinating lecture on their role and the specialist kit they operate with. This was followed by hands-on medical CPD covering vacuum mattresses (whole-body splints, made rigid by creating a vacuum in compartments containing polystyrene beads), vacuum splints (limb splints that use the same technique), and primary survey refreshers.
Throughout the entire weekend teams were joined by search dog Tally and handler Sarah from Derby MRT, whose skills added an extra dimension to the exercises.
A huge thanks to Bowland Pennine MRT for organising the event and to all the teams who took part. Training together strengthens the relationships and skills that are vital when real-world incidents occur.
Yesterday, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team provided standby rescue cover for two fantastic local events.
Firstly, we covered the Bolton North Runners 5km, proudly supported by Last Drop Village. 190 runners took part on a glorious, autumn morning.
Secondly, we were on the beautiful moors above Darwen, helping keep safe the 73 runners who took part in the Darwen Dashers Running Club Public David Staff Memorial Fell Race.
We are pleased to report there were no injuries on either event. Well done to all runners, and thanks to the organisers for once again including us in your events.
On Call 24 Hours
Search & Rescue
Event Safety Cover
In case of an emergency, DIAL 999, ask for ‘Police’ then ‘Mountain Rescue’
Give all your prepared details of the incident and ‘STAY WHERE YOU ARE’ until contacted by the rescue team.
If you have to make a further 999 call, follow this procedure in full again.