Rescue charity wants recruits

8:49pm Friday 21st March 2008

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MEMBERS of Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team will be undertaking a 50-mile walk to raise local awareness of their work.

The Tabular Hills Walk starts today at Helmsley and will end tomorrow at the Scarborough Sea Life Centre at about 5pm.

The walkers will camp overnight at the Mucky Duck in Newton-on-Rawcliffe.

The mountain rescue team hopes the walk will encourage new recruits to come forward and join up at an open day being held next month.

The rescue team is a charity and is manned by volunteers who are trained extensively in advanced navigation, rope skills and casualty care. They undertake search and rescue work across an area of 2,100 square miles, including 300 square miles of the North York Moors.

Chairman Andrew Priestly outlined the skills required to be a good team member.

"The only skill we test for is to have a rudimentary knowledge of navigation, like how to use a map and compass", he said. "That, and a keenness and willingness to get out of bed at 3am."

Getting the right people is essential, as Team Leader Andy Crossley explained: "It is the character in the person that we look for. There has to be a good team spirit; we need team players in stressful situations."

Andy also explained what brings people to become part of the mountain rescue team. "It's the desire to get out and help others, while participating in a hobby and an environment we all enjoy," he said.

The open day will be held on Sunday, April 6, at the team's base in Barkers Lane, Snainton, between 10am and 4pm. Anyone with an interest in the outdoors is encouraged to attend.

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