We can now announce the final total of £4,230.60 raised from our collecting boxes throughout 2010. This excellent figure exceeds 2009’s total by over £450 and has only been achieved with the support of the general public who drop their spare change (and sometimes notes!) into our many boxes positioned in shops, garages, public houses and other establishments in the local community. We are also indebted to the individual supporters who have collecting tins at their homes or places of work which regularly provide income for us. Amongst our supporters are Neil & Helen Grundy, “The Holcombe Duo”, who are accomplished alphorn players and can be seen – and heard – in the Jumbles Park area of Bolton during fine summer weekends, entertaining passers-by with their playing in return for donations to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. They have raised the much appreciated total of almost £900 since 2007 for the Team in this way, as well as their support of other events both in the UK and in Switzerland (see their website www.holcombeduo.co.uk).

Our Team Secretary, Gillian Gregory, who has been co-ordinating our collecting boxes scheme since 2006, says “We are extremely grateful to all those who contribute to the success of this scheme – the people who drop their coins into our distinctive boxes, the host sites kindly placing our boxes in prominent positions at their premises, and our own voluntary Team and Support Group members who ensure that the boxes are regularly checked, emptied, and the contents counted. To reach the marvellous total of over £4,200 in one year is a sure indication that the efforts of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team are appreciated by the community. As the box labels say, “thank you for your support – every penny helps”.