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
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.
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.