Today at the very kind invitation of the Carnival Committee, the team attended the Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme Carnival. Although a little distance from our base, this area of Trafford is provided with an emergency search and rescue service when required by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. (ie Missing Person searches and difficult to access casualty sites). This is why last year the Carnival Committee raised money for Bolton MRT with a fantastic cheque for £700 being donated.
After days of rain had led the field to be very muddy with areas out of bounds the sun came out for the carnival, which helped it to be a great success with lots of families enjoying the stalls, displays and fair rides.
Six team members attended Craig Lamb, Diane Blakeley, Bob Hutchinson, David Cook, Kris Kilshaw and John Dickinson and four Support Group members Iain Clarkson, Amanda Strickleton, Sarah Hindle and Laura Tunnicliffe. We set up our book stall and positioned two of our Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances on display.
A short time later was The Carnival Parade which included colourful floats, bands including bands, The Flixton Academy of Performing Arts, Sure Start Centre Pirate float as well as lots of Rose Queens in beautiful dresses. David, Diane and Kris took part in the parade in one of our Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances, BM3. Team mascot, a cuddly toy dog, “Rory the Rescue Dog”, in his own Bolton MRT uniform, hat and boots much to the excitement of all the children waved to all the crowds throughout the parade and was definitely a hit with all age groups. The route although long was very well supported with lots of the public out on the streets cheering us on.
BM3 waiting for the parade to start
Sure Start float
John Equestrian Riding School with BM3
Throughout the day on the carnival field we had steady interest with lots of children sitting in the Land Rover and learning a little about the work we do, whilst taking turns at turning on the blue lights and sirens. The sun continued to shine and a good day was had by all who attended.
Our BM2 Land Rover Ambulance
The team’s thanks are expressed to The Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme Carnival Committee with particular thanks to Stuart Priestley, Carnival Chairman. A big thank you to all those members of the public who made donations, bought books or wristbands. We raised £20.50 on our ‘Guess the name of the Meerkat’ competition, £4.00 from team wristband sales, and £52.19 from very kind public donations including donations from our 2nd hand book sales, making a total of £76.79. A big thank you to Lions International, Urmston Branch who very kindly donated a new friend for Rory, a white teddy bear. Sarah and Amanda are looking at creating her a uniform and we are asking the public for suggestions for names, any ideas?
our new nameless mascot
