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.

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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

A quick round-up of the eight incidents attended over the last few weeks....

7th July - 23:01 - Haigh Hall, near Wigan - a 21 year old male was reported to have suffered from a medical incident in the woods at Haigh Hall. Working alongside an NWAS crew he was carried from the woods to the car park.

12th July - 07:33 - vicinity of Earnsdale reservoir, Darwen - report of a 20 year old unconscious female. The team was quickly stood down as an NWAS crew was able to access the patient.

14th July - 18:41 - Roddlesworth plantations, Tockholes - 44 year old female with an ankle injury. The patient was evacuated from the woods on board a team vehicle.

18th July - 14:13 - Lilford Park, Leigh - report of an 11 year old male injured whilst cycling in the park. Another quick stand-down as an NWAS ambulance crew and NWAA crew were able to access the patient.

20th July - 14:11 - Old Kate's, Rivington - report of an 83 year old male with a head injury following a fall whilst walking. Team members attended, treated the injury, and conveyed the patient to safety.

24th July - 12:18 - Bamber Bridge, near Preston - request to assist Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team with the ongoing search to locate David Henry, who was reported missing from home. Very sadly during the search, the search teams located a body thought to be David. Our condolences are extended to David's family and friends.

31st July - 15:34 - Moses Gate country park - previously reported on our Facebook page - a 69 year old female had fallen on a woodland track running alongside the River Croal. Team members worked alongside NWAS to evacuate the casualty to a NWAS ambulance.

4th August - 22:51 - Rivington Moor - Lancashire Constabulary contacted the team for assistance to locate a party of three people reported to be lost on the moor, with only an approximate area known. SARCALL PhoneFind tech was used to pinpoint the group, and two Bolton MRT team members walked onto the moor to guide them back to solid ground. ... See MoreSee Less

13 hours ago

The team has received the sad news that its former Vice President, Stewart Beswick, has passed away. Stewart was Vice-President of Bolton MRT in the 1990’s – early 2000’s. He became involved with the team through his son Phil, who was an operational team member from the late 1980’s until 2004. Stewart and his wife Susan began fundraising in support of the team. They were instrumental in organising the annual Holden Family Christmas Carol concert in Edgworth, which was successful as a fundraising event for the team.
Stewart also arranged the donation of a large van and catering trailer to join the team’s fleet. The catering trailer was a much-appreciated asset, particularly on protracted searches, providing food and drink to keep the searchers going. Stewart was also instrumental in organising the Edgworth Beer Festival, and in the choice of Bolton MRT as one of the two charities to be supported by the event. The team were selected for support in this way for two years running, resulting in massive donations of over £12,000 from the festivals. This enabled the team to buy its first rescue boat, and associated specialist personal protective clothing, for the water team.
As a result of his exceptional work in support of the team, Stewart was awarded the position of Honorary Vice President. Throughout the time he has been associated with the team, and in recent years when he has attended team events, Stewart has always had a smile on his face, and has been keen to check how the team and its members are getting on. The team continued to be close to Stewart’s heart, and therefore his family have kindly agreed that donations in memory of Stewart will go to support the team’s work.
We would like to pass on our thanks for everything Stewart and Susan have done to help and support the team, and our heartfelt condolences to Susan, Phil, Phil’s brother Danny, and all the family. ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

At 15:34 on Friday 31st July, we received a message from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) requesting our assistance. A 69 year old female had fallen on a woodland track running alongside the River Croal near Little Lever, Bolton. She had sustained a very painful lower leg injury. Bolton MRT members worked alongside an NWAS crew to stabilise the casualty. Strong pain relief was provided, and the woman's injured limb was splinted. She was then stretchered to an NWAS ambulance, which was parked 650m away on Prestolee Road by the River Irwell. We send our best wishes for a full recovery to the casualty. ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago