Saturday October 8, 2011
RESCUE VICTIMS MEET LIFESAVING HEROES IN YORKSHIRE CEREMONY Rescue victims came face-to-face with the heroes who saved their lives last night at an awards ceremony for lifesaving volunteers in Yorkshire. Supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, the Search & Rescue Awards Ceremony was held to spotlight the vital work carried out by five lifesaving teams. A total of 20 awards* were presented at the event at Raven Hall Hotel, Ravenscar, Scarborough, while two of the casualties rescued told of their dramatic rescue bids. Zoe Ketteridge, from Methley, Leeds, was rescued by the Cave Rescue Organisation after falling on Yorkshire’s highest peak Whernside in the Dales. The 42-year-old is lucky to be alive after falling 100 metres when she slipped on ice, as horrified husband Jon looked on. The couple were at the ceremony to personally thank the volunteers for the crucial part they played in saving Zoe’s life after the accident in February 2009. Zoe, who has fundraised for the team ever since, said: “I have a vivid memory of falling. I have stopped having the nightmares now but everyone in this room was involved in my rescue. I am in awe of their dedication, it is amazing. They are the unsung heroes.” And Jon added: “I was very close to losing the most important person in my life that day. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to say thank you for the wonderful work you do.” Callum Rock, aged 17, from Middlebrough, was rescued from Highcliff Nab, Guisborough, in August 2010 after falling 70 ft. The Cleveland Search and Rescue Team played a major part in helping to save Callum who had been on a climbing expedition with his dad. Callum suffered horrendous injuries including multiple skull and facial fractures and was on a life support machine. He said: “They saved my life and I wanted to be here to support them and to say thank you.”
In total, the five teams have responded to 163 incidents over 15 months: roughly one call every 48 hours. Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “These lifesaving volunteers are vital to Yorkshire and vital in keeping our visitors safe. It has been an honour to support tonight’s Search & Rescue Awards ceremony to highlight the invaluable work they do.” *More details about the awards and award winners are below.
Editors’ Notes: •
Welcome to Yorkshire is the official destination management organisation for Yorkshire, working to grow the county’s visitor economy.
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Welcome to Yorkshire is funded by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy, and Welcome to Yorkshire members.
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Key facts include: •
Tourism in Yorkshire is worth £7 billion annually
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The county’s industry employs almost a quarter of a million people
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There are 216 million visits to Yorkshire each year
For more news and a free image bank http://www.yorkshire.com/mediacentre
Pic 1: Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Assist Chief Constable Sue Cross of North Yorkshire Police, with Zoe & Jon Ketteridge and Callum Rock. Pic 2: Zoe Ketteridge and Callum Rock More images are available of the teams on request, please contact Jo Francisco
For further information contact: Jo Francisco - Press Officer Email: jfrancisco@yorkshire.com Direct Line: 0113 322 3563 Mobile: 07769257327 Dee Marshall - Head of Communications Email: dmarshall@yorkshire.com Direct Line: 0113 3223505 Mobile: 07950 325901 Team Awards 1. The Cave Rescue Organisation, based in Clapham, provides the cave and mountain rescue service in the Three Peaks area of Dales, extending into Lancashire and Cumbria and eastwards as far as Malham and Gordale. 2. Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, based in Stokesley, is made up of 50 men and women, who cover the North West of the North York Moors and Cleveland Area. The team is aiming to raise over ÂŁ200,000 to upgrade the team base. 3. Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, based in Snainton, was established in 1965. It covers the Eastern half of the North York Moors, Yorkshire Wolds, Scarborough, Ryedale and York. 4. Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, based in Catterick, covers the Swaledale and Wensleydale area. Since its first recorded incident on 6th July 1968, the team has grown from 12 volunteers to 40.
5. Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, based in Grassington, has been rescuing people and animals from caves and fells for over 60 years. The team covers Wharfedale, Nidderdale, Littondale and Mid-Airedale. Individual Awards Cave Rescue Organisation 1. Roy Holmes joined in 1963 and has served as an underground controller and team chairman. Among many awards Roy holds the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal and a 40 year long service certificate. 2. Jennifer Claire Holmes is a support member for the team, providing food for long duration rescues and supports fundraising activities. She has been involved with the team since the late 1960’s. 3. Jack Pickup, a cave diver, carried out the first recorded underwater rescue form a cave in March 1969. A life member of Cave Rescue Organisation holding a 40 year long service award Jack has served as duty controller and Chair of the Cave Rescue Organisation. Cleveland Search and Rescue team 1. Steve Glasper, a member since the mid-1970s, organises team training sessions every week and has been one of the advanced first aiders for the last 25 years. He also co-ordinates the joint training in all of the North East Mountain Rescue Teams. 2. Dave Cook is the longest serving member after joining in October 1970. He has recently been awarded a 40 year long service award and attends most of the team’s 40 call outs a year as well as being responsible for looking after their collection tins. 3. Allan Mann has been a member of since the 1990s and Treasurer for the last five years. He’s worked tirelessly to secure the Team’s financial footing in difficult times and has been instrumental in raising over £160,000 for the base’s renovation works. Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team 1. David Edwards is a team party leader and driver for the team, living close to the team base and is generally one of the first to be called to respond to call outs at all hours. David takes an active role in fundraising activities and presenting to local interest groups. 2. Roger Hartley is an experienced Party Leader, casualty carer and team driver. Roger and a friend have completed the Coast to Coast walk and John O’Groats to Lands End cycle ride to raise funds for the team and Grace Murray who suffers with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. 3. Ian Hugill, deputy team leader, has been a member of the team for 11 years. Ian has brought a wealth of experience in dealing with incidents to the team after previously working within the military. Swaledale Mountain Rescue team
1. Graham Brown first joined in 1972 and is currently the team’s 'Equipment Officer'. He has been a key player in developing the Medical Cascare syllabus, widely recognised as the 'Gold Standard' in Mountain Rescue. 2. Sandra Brown has been a team callout officer since the late 80s. Callout officers are the 'Unsung heroes' of MR, tirelessly working to wake rescuers up at all hours. Sandra is also married to Graham and so deserves additional praise for putting up with disturbed nights for years. 3. Christine Rutter is also a team callout officer who has been with the team since the early 90s. Married to team member, Dave, Christine also deserves additional praise for putting up with disturbed nights for many years! Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association 1. Peter Huff has devoted a lifetime to rescue work after his father founded the team in 1948. Renowned for his invaluable knowledge and skill, Peter is also Secretary of the Yorkshire Dales Rescue Panel and a representative on the Mountain Rescue England and Wales committee. 2. Howard Driver, warden, has ensured that the team’s equipment is maintained at all times for nearly 50 years. Known for his dedication and commitment, Howard spends time giving talks about their work and has recorded the activities of the team since its inception. 3. Ken Robinson has a wealth of experience in dealing with casualties, ensuring they have the best treatment. His experience, ability to organise and efforts to train other members, shows his strong dedication to the team.