In the news

To commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, 32 Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team members with at least five years’ service have been awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

The medal is awarded to serving members of the armed forces and front-line emergency workers with five years’ service. It is also given to living recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses and members of the Royal Household.

“Recipients of the medal are a rare and wholly deserving type of person,” explained Dave Freeborn, President of Patterdale Mountain Rescue, “and we are delighted to have so many at Patterdale.” 

Separately, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) was awarded on 2 June 2020 to the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA) and its twelve constituent Teams.  As a long-standing member of LDSAMRA, Patterdale Mountain Rescue was one of those Teams and a proud recipient of the award. The QAVS is awarded by HM The Queen for outstanding achievement by voluntary organisations.  It is widely recognised as the MBE for voluntary groups.

Belatedly due to the Covid pandemic, QAVS pins were presented to those Team members, Trustees and Supporting Volunteers who were serving when the Award was announced in June 2020.

The celebration evening held at Patterdale Mountain Rescue on 28 June 2022 was an opportunity for all recipients to reflect on their work and what the awards mean to them and their families.

Team Leader Mike Rippon, receiving the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, said: “This is a massive appreciation for what we do, and very humbling. It’s special because our people are all volunteers. They love helping others and it’s wonderful that they are recognised in this way.”

Dog handler Benny, receiving his QAVS commemorative badge, shared his most challenging rescue to date: “Rescuing a man who fell on Striding Edge is particularly memorable. Just a week earlier someone had tragically died at the same spot. The Team worked at pace with other services such as coastguard and air ambulance to save not just his life but that of his badly injured dog.

As previous Team Leader and now President of Patterdale Mountain Rescue, Dave Freeborn is full of praise for the Team:

“Everyone here has a big part to play in making our mountains safe and this recognition is an honour for the whole team. They are all special people and their families should be very proud.”

He’s also keen to stress there are roles for everyone. Amy Heys joined the Team in 2021 and is finding her work hugely rewarding. “I love the mountains and was keen to ensure others do too while staying safe. Joining Patterdale Mountain Rescue was a way for me to give something back”.

Amy was quick to praise her colleagues: “It’s nice to be recognised as the Team give up a lot of time and are put in very difficult situations. Receiving a national award is great recognition.”

To find out more about the work of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team please visit https://www.mountainrescue.org.uk/