News

Auction of sculpture of Joss Naylor MBE

Joss Naylor MBE, bronze resin sculpture to be auctioned for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team. In 2008 renowned Cumbrian born professional sculptor Paul Bainbridge created two bronze resin sculptures of the head of fell running legend Joss Naylor to celebrate Joss’s achievement of running 70 Lake District fells on his 70th birthday. One of the sculptures was purchased by Copeland Council to take a place of honour in The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven. The other sculpture Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Gosforth Show

We had a grand day at Gosforth Show yesterday with lots of interest in what we do, and plenty of engagement with some enthusiastic and generous people. We raised £369.29 from all the lovely visitors to our stall for which we’re extremely grateful. Thanks to you all and see you at Whitehaven Harbour Fest next!

By John Bamforth, ago

Water Safety

At the start of the summer holidays take a moment to watch, read and share some advice in how to enjoy the Lakes and surrounding waters safely Do not swim alone Always use a bright tow float and cap for visibility Enter the water slowly and get used to it Check the depth of the waterbed by walking in carefully Work out where you will exit the water safely Don’t be tempted to stay in Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Lake District Rescue on Channel 4

The highly popular Lake District Rescue series filmed throughout the summer of 2023 and first aired early April 2024 on More4 is to be repeated, starting on Friday 12 July on Channel 4! The four one hour episodes can be viewed each Friday at 8:00 pm over the next four weeks. Channel 4’s reach will be to a much wider and larger viewer audience and is a measure of the programmes success by the film Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Joss Naylor MBE

Rest in Peace Joss Naylor, a legend of fell running and the Wasdale valley. Joss has been a huge inspiration to many people and a friend of the team and many of its members. We are proud to say that he was a vice-president of our team, and he very kindly did us the honour of opening Longlands base in 2018. Typical of the character that he was, he did not choose a pair of Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

WMRT at Seascale Gala

Perfect weather for Seascale Gala today and consequently, lots of visitors so WMRT had a busy day, showing people our kit, talking about what it means to be a member, and selling our merchandise. From sales and donations we made an incredible £481.33. We’re very grateful to all those generous people. We couldn’t do it without you!

By John Bamforth, ago

Lucy Belson – Unsung Hero Of Immediate Care Award

Congratulations to our Medical Officer, Lucy Belson, who recently received the inaugural Unsung Hero Of Immediate Care Award from the Resuscitation Council UK. Lucy’s attention to detail, diligence and passion for improvement has made a huge difference to our capability as a team. Hugely deserved and well done. https://www.resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/resuscitation-council-uk-reveals-winners-inaugural-excellence

By John Bamforth, ago

Brown family fundraising

It was fantastic to meet up with Allan and Marie Brown recently at our base. Once again they had organised a fund raising event for the team, this time raising an amazing £4110.64 for us. Marie’s Dad, Les, enjoyed a look around the base and the control room, and Grandson Freddie proved himself to be a promising boat driver for us in the future. We are humbled and so very grateful for your ongoing support Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Casualty fundraising

We were delighted yesterday to welcome Deborah Lovell and her family and friends who had kindly raised funds for the team. The team responded to Deborah’s call after she slipped at Black Sail Pass and broke her leg quite badly. Deborah’s mum June and the whole village in Wales where she comes from got together to raise money for the team as a thank you. We’re happy to report that Deborah’s leg is healing well Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Fundraising at Egremont Farmers’ Market

We were fundraising at the Egremont in the Market Hall with lots of yummy treats. A MASSIVE thank you to all the generous people of Egremont and beyond for supporting us at the Fairtrade Farmer’s Market yesterday. It was a very busy morning and certainly kept us on our toes but our lovely volunteers who baked and served and sold merchandise and engaged with the visitors were thrilled with the result. We raised an awesome Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

A casualty’s story

Last week we had the pleasure of meeting up with Ben, a casualty from a serious and complex callout in Piers Gill in early March. It was fantastic to see him recovering well from his injuries. We’d like to thank again both of the visiting RAF Mountain Rescue teams and the crew of Coastguard helicopter Rescue 936 who all played a huge part in the rescue. A real team effort with a great outcome. BBC Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Lake District Rescue

A new series following several Lake District Mountain Rescue Teams including Wasdale over last summer, airs on More 4 at 9pm on Sunday (7th). Produced by Summer Films for C4, the programme is the first in a series of four. All will be available for catch-up on All 4. Lake District Rescue Lake District Mountain Rescue teams have never been busier. Last year rescuers in Cumbria responded to over 600 call-outs – up mountains, on Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Piers Gill – Something has changed.

Mountains by their very nature are inherently hazardous, and this is part of their attraction (at least for some). Piers Gill has always been an accident blackspot for the team and there is a long history of serious events and fatalities. However, the number of incidents of people walking down the gill bed (stream bed) from the Corridor Route on their descent from Scafell Pike has suddenly become more frequent, with four serious events recently: Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Jamie fundraising for WMRT

Jamie recently contacted the team to say he is running the Manchester Marathon to raise funds for our team. Jamie is running in remembrance of Alex who was tragically, fatally injured after an accident on Scafell in July 2023 (WMRT incident 92 of 2023) Jamie, here at Wasdale MRT we remain extremely sorry for your loss but thank you enormously for your fundraising efforts If all our followers could click the link, read Jamie’s story,and, Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

MBE for Penny Kirby

Penny Kirby, Duty Team Leader of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has been recognised in the New Years Honours. Penny is one of four Operational Duty Team Leaders within the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team with over 40 years voluntary service. Penny is also a highly experienced Lake District Search Dog Handler with a similar number of years voluntary service and has made many successful finds with her four previous search dogs and now Jess. In her Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago

Fundraising in Egremont and Whitehaven

Members of the team were in Egremont on Saturday 16 December and in Whitehaven on Saturday 23 December for the annual fundraising event in the towns. It was great to talk to so many people and we were so grateful once again for the generosity and support shown to us. Huge thanks also to Lea Somerfield who bought a gift card from Greggs and allowed us a ‘free bar’ for coffees, and snacks. The weather Read more…

By John Bamforth, ago