Today team members were out in force to support a charity run, organised and co-ordinated by Greater Manchester Police to raise funds for the Help for Heroes Charity.
The team had previously taken part in similar events on Saturday 7th November 2009, Saturday 26th June 2010 and Saturday 25th June 2011 (See website ’news’ items), all of which have involved our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE in regular planning and liaison meetings with the overall organiser Sgt Stephen Baldam of GMP, Ian Bailey of GMFRS, the British Army and Bolton Council.
The team provided Standby Rescue Cover, moorland checkpoints, water stations and marshalling for the run today which is linked linked in its content to Commando Training activities in the Second World War.
Commencing at Winter Hill summit at 12:15 in generally windy (but dry!) conditions, the run was a 6.9 mile race from Winter Hill summit down to Bolton Town Centre, with 20 runners from GMP, GMFRS, and Probation Service taking part, including one runner, David Crawford from the Bolton MRT.
The runners assemble, ready for the off, at Winter Hill TV Transmitter Station
All the runners completed the gruelling run which under the run rules meant they all had to carry a 35lb rucksack and run in boots. Thankfully the heavy rain of the previous day held off and with high cloud and reasonable temperatures made for good running conditions.
And they’re off!
The runners leave the relative comfort of the tarmac and onto the moorland section at Burnt Edge, off Winter Hill
Again all who finished were met by tremendous applause from the gathered crowds in Bolton Town Hall Square, with David Crawford finishing in fourth place overall.
The first three runners back on the 6.9 event were from (first place) GMFRS, (second place) GMP, (third place) Probation Service.
The mass crowds at Victoria Square, Bolton, awaiting the arrival of the runners into Bolton Town Centre
Guests of Honour at the prize giving ceremony which followed were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, with representatives from the emergency services, namely Ian Bailey, Bolton Divisional Commander GMFRS, Chief Superintendant Dave Hull of GMP and our very own Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE.
Plaques recording thanks from GMP were presented by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Guy Harkin on behalf of GMP to Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (accepted by our Team Leader) and by the Mayor to GMFRS (accepted by Ian Bailey) regards both services’ considerable help to GMP in helping to organise and support today’s event.
The winner of the 6.9 mile event, Adam Connell of GMFRS Ramsbottom, receives an engraved glass trophy from the Mayor of Bolton
GMFRS Borough Commander (Bolton) Ian Bailey proudly stands alongside (left) Adam Connell of Ramsbottom Fire Station and Martin Smith of Bolton Central Fire Station
(Winners of the 6.9 mile and 30 mile event respectively)
Bolton MRT team member David Crawford with his medal for the 6.9 mile event and our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE with the plaque presented by GMP for our help on the event
Another event also took place today worthy of special note here, namely a 30 mile run again with rucksacks and boots starting at Fullwood Barracks, Preston, and ending in Victoria Square, Bolton. Six runners took part in this event, five police officers and one GMFRS Firefighter who went on to win the event; Firefighter Martin Smith of Bolton Central Fire Station.
The 20 Bolton MRT team call out list members who had taken part in providing safety cover today were joined by Bolton MRT Treasurer Johanne Lamb and Maggie Allread (partner of team member Paul Brain) all then joined the displays on Bolton Town Hall Square as part of the Armed Forces Day events. (With all four of our Team Land Rover Ambulances and Minibus on public display)
The team is very honoured to have been invited to take part in this local Help for Heroes event, and in partnership with our colleagues in the GMP, GMFRS and Bolton Council we have already pledged our support for the proposed 2013 event.
