Commencing in the very early hours of Wednesday morning, 15th August 2012, alongside Officers and other assets from Lancashire Constabulary, the team was involved in the search for a missing man in the area of Abbey Village, Lancashire.(Please see website ‘news’ report, Incident 58, dated the same)

The search concluded later in the morning, to recommence again at circa 09.30hrs, with Bowland Pennine MRT, ourselves and again assets from Lancashire Constabulary involved in the search. (Please see website ‘news’ report, Incident 59, dated the same)

Very sadly the search located the body of the missing man, fifty nine years old Bernard Holden.

This evening the team welcomed, albeit in sad circumstances, to our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ, three close family members of the late Bernard Holden, who had asked if they could visit us to say a personal thank you to all involved in the search for Bernard.

Mr Chris Holden and his wife, Mrs Alison Holden (Brother and Sister in Law of Bernard) of Blackburn, were joined by Mr David Holden of Darwen, also a brother of Bernard.

Their mutual family friend, team member Neil Aspinall, initially welcomed them at 18.45hrs, introducing them to our Team Chairman Craig Lamb, Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE, and other assembled team members.

Neil and Craig then gave them all a conducted tour of our Base / HQ and the team vehicles based there.

In front of assembled team members, Chris, Alison and David, then kindly presented a Thank You card to the team (On on their behalf to our colleagues at Bowland Pennine MRT) which stated ;

“To the Mountain Rescue Teams of Bolton and Bowland Pennine, with many thanks for all you did on 15th August.”

“With much appreciation from all the family of Bernard Holden.”

Very kindly they then went on to present a kind and thoughtful donation of £130.00 to the team, and asked that we pass on to our colleagues at Bowland Pennine MRT a similar donation of £130.00.

The team would like to thank Chris, Alison and David for their kind words and time spent with us at this sad time for them, and once again on behalf of the Bolton MRT and Bowland Pennine MRT, extend the full condolences of both teams to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Bernard Holden.