in the news
Two call-outs and a Standby Rescue Cover on a sunny Saturday!
While two of our crews were deployed providing safety cover for the fantastic Smithy’s Charity Trail Run, our first call-out came mid-morning. We received a request to assist a walker in distress on Holcombe Moor. The casualty was experiencing breathing and vision problems, along with nausea on standing. One of our off-road drivers transported the two-person North West Ambulance Service crew along rough moorland tracks in one of our 4x4 vehicles, before team members guided them just over 1km to the casualty’s location. The NWAS crew took the lead on casualty care, whilst team members prepared for a potentially tricky extrication. However, colleagues from Rossendale and Pendle MRT accessed the moor with their Polaris all-terrain vehicle, allowing the casualty to be transported safely off the hill. She was then transferred to an ambulance.
The second call-out, at 19:42, was to woodland near Atherton, where a casualty had sustained a back injury and was unable to move due to significant pain. Working alongside North West Ambulance Service, including their Hazardous Area Response Team, a joint decision was made for Bolton MRT to manage the extraction using our vacuum mattress, and Bell stretcher with wheel. The casualty was then conveyed to the waiting ambulance for onward transport to hospital.
Both incidents were excellent examples of effective multi-agency teamwork, and we thank all partner organisations for their support.
We wish both casualties speedy recoveries.
We’d also like to thank the organisers of Smithy’s Charity Trail Run for once again inviting us, and congratulate the 111 runners who took on the tough, five mile course.
Last Saturday morning, members of our Water Rescue Team were at High Rid Reservoir for a training exercise focused on power boat operations.
The session provided an opportunity to practice boat-handling skills in a controlled environment, ensuring our team remains confident and capable when operating on the water.
We also rehearsed ‘swimmer in the water’ casualty recovery drills, to help improve coordination, communication, and efficiency during rescues.
Regular training like this is vital in helping us maintain a high level of preparedness, enabling us to respond safely and effectively when called upon.
Last Wednesday, 11th March, Bolton MRT held its 2026 AGM, reflecting on the past year and recognising the people who make the team what it is.
We were pleased to acknowledge the long service of a number of dedicated members, whose continued commitment underpins everything we do.
This year also marked the retirement of the Howard Hill Memorial Tankard for exceptional service over the past 12 months. After many years, it had quite literally reached capacity, filled with the names of those who have gone above and beyond. It has now been succeeded by the Geoff Seddon Memorial Tankard.
The inaugural award was presented by Geoff’s daughter, Felicity, to Diane, in recognition of her tireless efforts over recent months, having cancelled many of her Christmas plans to support Geoff’s funeral arrangements, and playing a key role in our latest recruitment process. It is a well-deserved recognition of Diane’s commitment to the team.
We also confirmed several leadership appointments:
Chris and Mike were re-elected as Operational Team Leader and Deputy Team leader, respectively; Richard was elected as Support Team Leader, taking over from Bryan as he begins training as an operational team member.
Assistant Team Leaders Paul, Tony, Ryan, and Andy were re-elected, and Alistair was newly elected to the role.
Finally, we recognised Paul and Andrew, who stood down as trustees at this year’s AGM. Both have contributed many years of dedicated service, playing an important role in supporting the team’s governance. Their time, effort and commitment behind the scenes have been greatly valued.
Thank you to everyone who continues to provide their time and effort to Bolton MRT.
We are delighted to say that we’ve just issued our latest newsletter.
Inside this edition, you’ll find:
🚑 a look back at our call-outs from 2025;
🚙 more information about our team vehicles, and the vital role they play in rescues;
🏃 ideas and tips on how you can support the team if you’re running a marathon, or taking on a challenge event.
📖 Read it here: mailchi.mp/9d1fdb386634/thanks-for-your-support-12751624
If you’d like to receive our e-newsletter in the future, you can sign up by completing this form www.boltonmrt.org.uk/register
Every year it costs around £60,000 to keep the team operational. If you would like to support the team, you can donate by clicking the Donate button on this post.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support Bolton MRT.
A huge thank you to New Concept Security Ltd for their generous £250 donation to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.
Pictured are Tommy Baldwin and Dave Halliwell presenting the cheque on behalf of their company. Support like this makes a real difference, and helps us continue providing our search and rescue service to the local community.
Everyone at Bolton MRT would like to say a big thank you to New Concept Security Ltd for their support.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team member Steve is taking on one of the toughest endurance events on the planet – the Marathon des Sables – alongside his partner Jamie.
The race covers 250km+ across the Sahara Desert over six days, with competitors carrying all their own food and equipment.
Steve and Jamie are taking on this incredible challenge to raise funds for three charities close to their hearts: Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, The Fire Fighters Charity, and CS22 Veteran Expeditions Charity.
We’d like to wish the pair the very best of luck.
If you’d like to support them and these fantastic charities, please consider donating using the QR code in the photo.
A huge thank you to the members of Red Rose Land Rover Club for their generous donation of £1800 to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.
Team members Bryan, Dave, and Wayne recently visited the club to collect the donation and to thank everyone in person for their support. Contributions like this make a real difference and help us continue providing a 24/7 voluntary search and rescue service, responding to people in need across the local area and beyond.
We’re extremely grateful to everyone at Red Rose Land Rover Club for their kindness and ongoing support of the team.
New Applicants’ Assessment Weekend – 28 February & 1 March
Over the weekend of 28th February and 1st March, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team ran its 2026 new applicants’ assessment weekend, welcoming a strong group of candidates who all put in a huge amount of effort across two demanding days.
Saturday included a fitness test, followed by a navigation assessment on Winter Hill, testing both physical capability and hill skills. Applicants also attended interviews with our Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, completed a navigation theory test, a blindfolded stretcher carrying exercise, had a tour of our Ladybridge HQ, and had a look at our kit so they could better understand essential mountain rescue equipment.
Sunday saw the applicants head to the Tockholes area for a full day of outdoor scenarios, where teamwork and problem-solving were key. The morning consisted of search exercises, and first aid scenarios designed to assess casualty care and communication under pressure. In the afternoon, applicants were split into two teams to take on simulated callouts, with each team required to locate, treat, and safely extricate two casualties.
Throughout the whole weekend, the new applicants were mentored and assessed by experienced team members, which added even more pressure to every scenario they faced.
We would like to thank everyone who applied, turned up, and gave their best throughout the weekend. The commitment, resilience, and teamwork on display were impressive.
We will not be opening up recruitment for our Operational Team again for the foreseeable future.
New Applicants’ Assessment Weekend – 28 February & 1 March
Over the weekend of 28th February and 1st March, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team ran its 2026 new applicants’ assessment weekend, welcoming a strong group of candidates who all put in a huge amount of effort across two demanding days.
Saturday included a fitness test, followed by a navigation assessment on Winter Hill, testing both physical capability and hill skills. Applicants also attended interviews with our Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, completed a navigation theory test, a blindfolded stretcher carrying exercise, had a tour of our Ladybridge HQ, and had a look at our kit so they could better understand essential mountain rescue equipment.
Sunday saw the applicants head to the Tockholes area for a full day of outdoor scenarios, where teamwork and problem-solving were key. The morning consisted of search exercises, and first aid scenarios designed to assess casualty care and communication under pressure. In the afternoon, applicants were split into two teams to take on simulated callouts, with each team required to locate, treat, and safely extricate two casualties.
Throughout the whole weekend, the new applicants were mentored and assessed by experienced team members, which added even more pressure to every scenario they faced.
We would like to thank everyone who applied, turned up, and gave their best throughout the weekend. The commitment, resilience, and teamwork on display were impressive.
We will not be opening up recruitment for our Operational Team again for the foreseeable future.
On 14th February, a day on which we received four emergency callouts, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team were called to assist a casualty who had slipped on ice on the moors near Holcombe and sustained a serious lower leg and ankle injury.
Initial assessments suggested a potential fracture, and further hospital investigations later revealed the full extent of the injuries: three fractures, torn ligaments on both sides, and the need for surgical intervention including the installation of a screw, a plate, and the removal of some bone fragments.
This incident is a stark reminder that winter conditions can make even familiar terrain extremely hazardous, and that injuries can be far more severe than they first appear.
We wish the casualty a full recovery, and thank all those involved in the rescue and onward medical care.
Photos and injury details shared with permission from the casualty.
When friends Lizzie and Catherine set off from Rivington village on 14th February to walk the Anglezarke amble, they had no hint of what calamity awaited them just five miles round the 24-mile moorland trail. It was a bitterly cold day and, on many parts of the route, ice had formed, sometimes obvious, sometimes not. Lizzie slipped on the ice, and she realised immediately that she had broken her wrist. Her injury was immensely painful, and Catherine did what she could to comfort Lizzie and seek help.
At around this time, Mark and Martin were responding in our Bolton Mobile 5 (BM5) vehicle to an incident in Holcombe, Bury, following reports of another fall on ice. The duty team leader re-tasked BM5 to head towards Belmont while others continued to Holcombe. Meanwhile, Lizzie's location was being determined. Thanks to a What3Words coordinate provided by Catherine, the responders soon knew their location: on a lane by Greenhill Farm off the A675, Belmont.
Lizzie was in a great deal of pain, and so she was provided with strong analgesia by Mark, one of the team's RRMTs (Remote Rescue Medical Technicians). After some time, this eased Lizzie's pain sufficiently for Lizzie to be placed in BM5, with the heating on, to await the arrival of an NWAS crew who transported Lizzie to hospital for treatment and subsequent surgery. We would like to thank Catherine for all she did to help Lizzie, and we wish Lizzie a rapid and complete recovery.
💛 Did you know?
Last year, Bolton MRT members volunteered the equivalent of 470 days of their time?
Our year began on New Year’s Day, supporting the emergency services during flooding in South Manchester. That first call-out lasted 13 hours — and set the tone for a busy year helping people across the region, from Wigan to Darwen, to Stockport.
2025 in numbers:
🚨 51 call-outs
⏱️ 1,932 incident hours
🎓 5,012 training hours
👥 11,288 total volunteer hours — 470 days
Every team member is on call 24/7, 365 days a year, and it costs around £60,000 annually to keep us ready to save lives.
If you can support our work, please consider donating using the button below. Every contribution helps.
Last week, members of our Support and Operational Team had the pleasure of collecting a donation from Liz, Barry, and Alison at Ye Jolly Crofters in Horwich. The Jolly Crofters raised an amazing £1,000 at the Christmas market they hosted in December, bringing their total fundraising for the team to over £6,000.
Everyone at Bolton MRT would like to say a huge thank you to Jolly Crofters and to everyone who attended last year’s Christmas market and helped support the team.
We’re a little late publishing this post; however, our final call-out of 2025 came on 31st of December.
Bolton MRT were called to assist a fallen horse-rider on farmland near Tyldesley. Our team worked alongside NWAS colleagues to provide care for, and to extricate, the casualty after she reported severe pain in the pelvic region. After extrication, the casualty was transported to Salford Royal for further treatment.
We wish her the very best and good luck with her recovery.
As mourners began to arrive at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Horwich, in the brilliant sunshine and deep blue winter skies of Friday 16th January, they were met by a startling and moving sight. Parked on Church Street, by the arched entrance to the church, were a wide variety of emergency vehicles. These had in common: their orange and white Battenberg liveries; and their blue and red Mountain Rescue roundels. But they had another thing in common. Their occupants, from Bolton MRT, and from mountain rescue teams throughout the north west, had come to show their respect for, and celebrate the remarkable life of, Geoff Seddon, who died on Christmas Eve.
Passing through the arch, a long, red-jacketed Guard of Honour had formed. It lined the path all the way to the church’s entrance. These, Geoff’s fellow mountain rescuers from far and wide, along with representatives of the region’s police forces and fire and rescue services, bowed their heads in respect for Geoff as his coffin filed past, and then joined the congregation inside: hundreds of friends, family, and colleagues of Geoff, spanning the decades and the region.
Geoff’s daughter Felicity, and his two sons Tom and Ted were present, along with Geoff’s two grandchildren. Felicity and Ted addressed the congregation, and did well to hold themselves together as they made the audience laugh and cry with memories of their dad, whose life was far from being just about mountain rescue. We learned that the first time Gill saw Geoff, she vowed he was the man she would marry - and so they did. Both Felicity and Ted deserved the long and loud applause they received. We heard from Mike, from Bolton MRT, who had a difficult task: to summarise Geoff’s contribution to mountain rescue since he began as an eighteen-year old in 1969.
The fact that so many hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to Geoff, and to celebrate his life, illustrates the enormous legacy of friendship and love he leaves us with.
Stand down and farewell, Geoff.
Geoffrey Hilton Seddon 12th November 1950 - 24th December 2025
Possible congestion around Holy Trinity Parish Church, Horwich, on Friday afternoon 16th January, due to the funeral of Geoff Seddon.
The funeral of Geoff Seddon, Bolton MRT's longest-serving team member, will take place at the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Horwich, at 2pm this Friday 16th January. It is testament to the high regard Geoff is held in that his funeral is expected to be attended by hundreds of family, friends, and current and former team members from Bolton MRT. In addition, many mountain rescuers from teams all over the northwest will be attending. There are expected to be approximately 16 mountain rescue team vehicles in the vicinity of the church around the time of the service, as well as many other private cars. After the service, a funeral cortege will include a number of Bolton MRT team vehicles. It will make its way slowly up Chorley Old Road from about 2:45pm.
We anticipate temporary congestion as a result of the above, and would ask those who might be affected to consider which route would be best for them in order to avoid possible delays.
Thank you for your patience at this sad time.
Bolton MRT
The team is devastated to announce the death of Geoff Seddon, following a short but brutal battle with cancer. Geoff was a stalwart of Bolton MRT and contributor to mountain rescue regionally and nationally for more than 56 years.
Geoff joined Bolton MRT very shortly after it was formed in 1969, aged 19. He served continuously as an operational member until his death last week, aged 75.
Geoff served as our Team Leader from September 1973 until March 1981 - a month before this author was born. He served as Chairman of the Mid-Pennine Mountain Accident Panel (now known as the Mid-Pennine Search and Rescue Organisation). From 1992 to 2014 he served as Deputy Team Leader of Bolton MRT. On standing down from the Deputy TL role, he was immediately appointed a Life Vice-President of Bolton MRT.
Throughout this time Geoff had time for family, marrying Gill in 1974 and being father to three children – Felicity, Ted and Tom, and grandfather to Mateo and Ruby. Moreover, Geoff was an avid outdoor enthusiast, a member of Bolton Canoe Club, a Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme instructor, a member of staff for Bolton Council’s Youth Service instructing the young people of Bolton in outdoor activities, and more recently working with other independent providers of youth outdoor education.
Geoff had been involved in Mountain Rescue, specifically Bolton MRT, for such a long time. Geoff attended his first large incident in 1973, where he joined around 350 mountain rescue volunteers in the search for a missing pharmacist in the Ogwen Valley, North Wales. His most memorable search came in April 1991, when he found a 6-year-old boy who had been missing overnight in the Trough of Bowland.
After being involved in thousands of search and rescue incidents, it might be assumed that he had taken a step back from front-line duties recently, but this was not the case. He was still very active, both on the hill and on water. Geoff was a qualified Rescue 3 Water Rescue Instructor; a very physically demanding role. He was involved in the water to the response to flooding at Stockport and Didsbury on New Year’s Day 2025, assisting in the rescue of over 500 people from flooded properties. His most recent land rescues were in October 2025 – a search for a missing 13-year-old in darkness on Holcombe Moor, and the rescue of a 15-year-old from Cox Green quarry, Egerton.
Geoff shared his knowledge, wisdom and experience throughout mountain rescue with new and old team members alike. He was always content to use his experience to deliver training for Bolton MRT and other regional teams, always tempered with his experience and dry wit, often concluded over a roll-up or pint in the pub afterwards.
Geoff was awarded the Horwich Civic Medal in 2003 and had been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) and the King’s Coronation Medal (2023). In 2019 he was awarded the Mountain Rescue England and Wales 50 years’ service certificate, and in 2024 was awarded the Mountain Rescue England and Wales 55 years’ service certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. In May 2025, in recognition of his support for Mountain Rescue, Geoff attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace with his daughter Felicity.
Never assuming, always quick-witted, humorous, and of impeccable integrity, Geoff was a hero and legend to family, friends and everyone in Bolton MRT. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Funeral details will be posted when known.
Merry Christmas, and all the best for the festive period, from all of us at Bolton MRT to all our supporters.
We thought it would also be worth reminding you all of our Christmas opening hours.
If you can spare any extra this Christmas, please do consider a donation to help our team.
We are an organisation that requires around £60k per year to run, which means we have to raise over £1,000 per week to maintain the vital service we provide.
*Update 29/12/2025*
Due to unprecedented demand all 120 places to attend our 4 information events are now full and we have to close this opportunity to find out more about the team. It will take us sometime to get emails out to those people who have booked places, so please bear with us as all our members are volunteers.
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WE ARE RECRUITING
We are excited to say we are looking for new members of our operational team.
In January we will be holding two open events so you can come along and find out more about the team and whether it’s for you. To attend an open event you must be 18 or over.
To join a Mountain Rescue team you will usually be an experienced hill walker, who can already use a map and compass confidently. You will be a team player, and you will need a vehicle and driving license to get yourself to training and call-outs.
You will also need to live within (or close to the boundaries of) the team's area, which stretches from Bolton to Salford, Wigan, Darwen, Trafford and Prestwich.
If you are interested please register to attend one of our recruitment events where you can find out more about becoming a trainee mountain rescue volunteer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Click the link below and choose one of the events on either Sunday 18th January 11am or 2pm or Wednesday 21st January 7.30pm.
UPDATE: Our planned 3 events are now full. Due to this high level of demand, we have added one final event on Sunday 18th January at 4pm. Click the link below to register for this final opportunity.
forms.office.com/e/66eCqGbUug
If you are unable to attend either day please email recruitment@boltonmrt.org.uk
The team would like to give a big thank you to everyone that raised money for us during November. We'd like to give a special shout-out to the following fundraisers:
Leigh & District Ramblers – £125
Horwich Duathlon – £150
Chorley Ramblers – £500
Don't forget, if you would like to fundraise for the team, head over to www.justgiving.com/charity/bolton-mrt or if you'd like to give us a one off donation, simply click the button below.
Thank you to everyone for continuing to support Bolton MRT.
It’s that time of year again!
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team are proud to once again lead the Turton Young Farmers’ Annual Christmas Tractor Run as it celebrates 5 years of festive tractor magic!
This year’s run takes place on Sunday 7 December 2025, along the route shown in the image below.
With over 100 brilliantly decorated tractors, a joyful community atmosphere, and a route winding through our local villages, it’s set to be another unforgettable evening.
A huge thank you to everyone taking part, supporting, and cheering from the roadside, and to Turton Young Farmers for inviting us back to lead this event.
🎄✨ It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas! ✨🎄
Christmas is on the way, and the team are at Ye Jolly Crofters today supporting their annual Christmas Market and raising vital funds.
If you’re nearby, come and join in the fun — browse the stalls, soak up the Christmas cheer, try your luck on the tombola, and you might even bump into Santa himself!
We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from Ye Jolly Crofters. Their fundraising makes a huge difference and helps us work towards the £60,000 it takes each year to help us keep saving lives.
Where: Ye Jolly Crofters, Chorley Old Road, Horwich
When: Saturday 29 November from midday - 4pm
If you can't join us in person, you can still sprinkle a little Christmas magic by clicking the button below to donate.
The team would like to pass on a big thank you to our electrical contractor, Walker Gabbott, who replaced some interior lights at our base earlier this year. Walker Gabbott worked closely with Steve in the team to install new LED lights with sensors from JCC Lighting Products, supplied by Eyre and Elliston. The LED lights are more energy-efficient and will help us reduce our running costs. It’s great that we can work with local companies to help drive our costs down, meaning we can direct more money to life-saving equipment.
🎄 Join us tomorrow! 🎄
The team will be at the Christmas Market at Ye Jolly Crofters in Horwich tomorrow. We’re so grateful to Ye Jolly Crofters, who have supported Bolton MRT for many years, and helped raise hundreds of pounds to keep our vital work going.
If you’re in the area, pop by the Christmas Market, say hello to the team, and try your luck on the tombola! You can also browse a wonderful selection of local businesses — the perfect chance to start your Christmas shopping. 🌲🤶🏻
Where: Ye Jolly Crofters, Chorley Old Road, Horwich
When: Saturday 29 November from midday - 4pm
Hope to see you there!
Bolton MRT is delighted that the government has recognised the value of Mountain Rescue Teams in today’s budget by providing a change to tax rules exempting Search and Rescue vehicles from Vehicle Excise Duty. This is a significant cost to teams and a saving across UK Search and Rescue of over £450,000.
The team would like to thank those MPs who have been calling for this change including Phil Brickell MP (Bolton West) who raised the issue in Parliament and with government, along with Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Pendle).
It costs Bolton MRT on average £60,000 per year to operate. These funds come from donations and gifts as well as fundraising activities by our members. Reducing our costs by exempting our vehicles is very welcome.
If you can help us keep the lights on please go to boltonmrt.org.uk/support-the-team and find out how you can support us.