In July this year our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE received a letter sent in June to his former house address, which he left in 1999.

The letter from BSG Solicitors of Preston informed Garry that they were dealing with a bequest of £1,000.00 via Garry’s listed (former) address in the will, furthermore it was to be applied by Garry for the use and benefit of ‘Mountain Dogs Rescue Team,’ with a similar amount linked to our colleagues at Bowland Pennine MRT.

The very thoughtful bequest was from the late Mrs Vera Bloom, who died on 10th May 2014, and Garry in contact with BSG Solicitors, informed them that he recalled Mrs Vera Bloom talking to him about setting up this bequest specifically for the mountain rescue search dogs that were operational in the Bolton MRT at that time – the now deceased Search Dog Blue / Handler Paul Baxendale (No longer with the Bolton MRT) and the now deceased Search Dog Chi / Handler Dave Marsh (Still with us with a new search dog, DVSD Sasha) furthermore she also wished to support the search dogs operating in the Preston and surrounding area, who Garry informed belonged to the Bowland Pennine MRT.

Garry recalls leaving Mrs Bloom as requested with his address details and details for Bowland Pennine MRT, and promising Mrs Vera Bloom that her bequest would only ever be used directly by the respective teams search dogs.

Yesterday, Tuesday 11th November, our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE received a bequest donation from BSG Solicitors, on behalf of the late Mrs Vera Bloom, for £2,000.00 to be utilised for the ‘use and benefit of search dogs within the team.’

In further contact with BSG Solicitors, it was realised based upon Garry’s previous correspondence and conversations with BSG Solicitors, that this very thoughtful and kind donation of £2,000.00 was actually to equally benefit both Bolton MRT and Bowland Pennine MRT.

Therefore in honouring Vera Blooms long ago conversation with our Team Leader, each team will now share this very supportive and kind bequest, with £1,000.00 going to benefit each team.

Both Bolton MRT and Bowland Pennine MRT extend their full condolences to those who knew the late Mrs Vera Bloom, who’s kindness so long ago will now benefit our current search dogs, in both teams.

We would also like to thank BSG Solicitors of Preston for their involvement in dealing with the will and wishes of the late Mrs Vera Bloom.