Our supporters

Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team supporters fundraise, give talks, staff our stands and feed the team on long incidents. Find out what they do and how to join them.

Two team members in red Mountain Rescue jackets watching runners on a moorland path near Slippery Stones in the Upper Derwent Valley

Not everyone who helps Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team goes out on the hill. Our supporters are volunteers too. They raise the money that keeps us going, tell people about our work, and look after the team when a job runs on for hours. Without them, our hill-going members could not do what they do.

Fundraising

Every mountain rescue team is a separate charity that pays its own way, so fundraising matters. Our supporters run collections at supermarkets and in town centres, organise car boot sales and pub fundraisers, and staff our stand at local shows and galas, from the Penistone Gala and Penistone Show to the South Yorkshire Show at Wortley.

You can see where they have been, and where they are going next, on our events calendar.

Talks and events

Supporters give many of our talks to community groups: WIs, Probus clubs, history groups, Scouts, Cubs and schools. They explain what mountain rescue is, how an incident works and how to stay safe outdoors. Our talks are free, and the donations groups kindly make go straight to the team.

Would your group like a visit? Book a talk or visit.

A team member in red walks across heather towards burnt black hillsides, with the team's Land Rover in the foreground
Long days on the hill need food and drink as much as kit.

Feeding the team on long jobs

Some incidents last many hours, through the night or over several days. When a job runs on, supporters bring hot food and drinks to the team at the control point or back at base, so tired, cold team members can refuel before heading out again.

It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference: people make better decisions, and stay safer, when they are warm and fed.

Behind the scenes

  • Running our shop and looking after the merchandise we sell at events.
  • Admin, from thank-you letters to organising rotas for collections.
  • Helping at our own events.
  • Meeting regularly to plan the year ahead.
  • Training too: supporters learn basic life support, so they can help in an emergency wherever they are.

Find out how our controllers and loggists run an incident.

Become a supporter

You don’t need to be a hill walker or have any special skills, just a few hours to spare and a friendly face. Register your interest and we will be in touch.

Register your interest

Prefer to help with money rather than time? Give monthly, or fundraise for us.