Back at the beginning of March this year the team was called out on a very cold Wednesday evening to search for a missing 11 year old Bury boy, Joe Geeling. 30 team members attended that evening along with our Search Dog Chi, but despite our best efforts and those of the Police, Fire Service, members of the public and Joe’s close family and friends, the evening and early morning search was inconclusive.

Following a short rest the Bolton MRT and other resources were called back on the Thursday morning to continue the search, which sadly had a tragic outcome with the discovery of young Joe’s body on the outskirts of Bury town centre. Criminal proceedings are taking place in relation to this very tragic outcome.

The team subsequently sent representatives to Joe’s funeral, along with our heartfelt condolences to his Parents and family, most of whom we came across at some stage in the search for Joe.

Today we were humbled to receive an extremely kind card of thanks from Joe’s Mum and Dad, Tom and Gwen Geeling. In the card they write, “Please accept this small token of our appreciation. Your relentless efforts on that bitter cold night of March 1st 2006 were so professional and you were so kind to keep the search going as long as possible. You are a credit to your profession and we will always be eternally grateful.” Enclosed with the card was a substantial £2,000.00 donation, this is a very large donation and the team is now looking to purchase an item or items of equipment which can further the memory of Joe.

Once again we express our condolences to Tom and Gwen over the loss of their son, and hope that with the gentle passing of time his loss has become a little easier to bear for all who knew him.