Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team (BPMRT)

16/06/2026

Come and join us at Smelt Mill for an open day on 5th July, with activities for all the family.

Please come and join us on 5th July for an open day at Smelt Mill. Find out more about Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team (BPMRT), have a go on the climbing wall and take part in activities for the whole family. There are also some great family activity days and equipment to be won in the raffle!

02/06/2026

⛑️Could you be an operational team member?⛑️

Applications for our next cohort of trainees are open and we are specifically looking for people who live or work close to our Ray Lane base in Garstang.

Being part of BPMRT is incredibly rewarding, but we want to be up front about the reality: it is a massive commitment, and it isn't always glamorous. We’re talking late nights, freezing rain, missed Sunday roasts, and a lot of hard work. It takes at least 18 months of intensive training to become a full team member, and you'll need total backing from your family too.

🧭 You must be able to navigate rough terrain in all weathers, day or night, and be self-sufficient out on the fells, but other than that we'll teach you all the rescue skills you need!

Still reading? Brilliant. You might be exactly who we're looking for! 🙌

If you're interested in applying please drop us a private message including your email address and town that you live in and we'll send you an application form and further details.

📆Key Dates
21 June: Application deadline
18 or 19 July: Hill assessment day for shortlisted applicants
Sept: Training begins (Weds nights and some weekends)

30/05/2026

The team are out fundraising in Chorley town centre today. If you are in the area, please stop by, say hi and find out more about what the team does. As a charity, we rely on fundraising and donations to allow us to continue operating and being available to support those who needs us 24/7/365.

We are very grateful for every single donation we receive. Thank you!🙏

You can also donate online: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/Bowland-PennineMRT

26/05/2026

🚨CALLOUTS🚨
The team were called out twice this weekend, as many people were out and about enjoying the sunshine. On Saturday we assisted a cyclist 🚴‍♀ who had fallen off her bike in the Brinscall area and suffered a very painful ankle injury. The team worked closely with North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to provide pain relief and splinted her ankle before carefully carrying her to an awaiting ambulance.

Just after 6pm on Monday evening, we were called to Silverdale to a lady who had taken a tumble whilst walking, injuring her shoulder and was unable to move. After pain relief had been provided, our volunteers carried the lady on our specialist stretcher and wheel to the road for onwards hospital treatment 🚑

We wish both ladies a speedy recovery.

16/05/2026

Last weekend we hosted a joint training exercise with Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day really valuable in developing relationships and operational readiness across different teams and statutory services.

11/05/2026

🚨CALLOUT🚨 Friday 8th May, Salter Fell
At 17:57 the team was called out by North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to assist a biker who had crashed along the Salter Fell track near Slaidburn. When our volunteers reached the location initially provided, there was no sign of the casualty or his friend. Our incident controller was able to contact the friend who confirmed they were actually further along the track. The injured biker was eventually found around 2km beyond the original location.

Team members carried out a medical assessment and found significant injuries to the biker's arm and hip. He was in considerable pain and was cold and wet. Due to the nature of the injuries and remote location, we requested support from North West Air Ambulance Charity. After providing pain relief, warming him up and splinting his injuries, team members carried the biker a short distance to the helicopter for onward transport to hospital for further treatment.

We wish the biker a speedy recovery and hope he's back out enjoying the trails again soon 🏍
A big thank you also to the North West Air Ambulance Charity crew for their support and for saving us a very long stretcher carry 🙏

10/05/2026

🚨CALLOUT🚨Clougha Pike, Wednesday 6th May
At 23:29, just after returning home from our monthly kit maintenance night, we were called by Lancashire Police to help a group who were lost on Clougha Pike. Using technology we pinpointed their location, in a marshy area below the summit. Team members headed up the fell and soon located 2 males who were cold but otherwise uninjured. After providing them with warm jackets and headtorches, we walked them safely back down to their vehicle.

Thank you to the local gamekeeper for his offer of assistance.

📸BPMRT stock photo

04/05/2026

🎉A massive congratulations to our latest cohort of trainees who have successfully passed their training and are now full operational callout members. Following 18 months of intensive training, learning our team kit and how we operate and being observed out on the hill, they were formally presented with their red jackets at our recent AGM. 👏
From everyone at BPMRT, welcome to the Mountain Rescue family! ⛑

04/04/2026

🚨CALLOUTS🚨
This week, the team have responded to 2 medical incidents in the Nicky Nook and Bleasdale areas. Team members worked alongside North West Air Ambulance Charity North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Lancashire Police, bringing our specialist skills to each situation.

Our volunteers are on call 24/7 to support those who need our assistance at any time of the day or night⛑

08/03/2026

🌟On International Women's Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team - volunteers who bring strength, leadership, resilience and empathy to the team.
Back in 1965, Northern Rescue Organisation (one of the two teams that later formed BPMRT) advertised for “young ladies to help with typing” - a lot has changed since then!
Today, every operational team member is held to the same standards, completes the same assessments, and carries the same kit up hills. In our red jackets, we work side by side as one team; supporting each other, learning from each other, and valuing the unique skills and experience every individual brings.
Here’s to the women of BPMRT, and to everyone who lifts each other up 💛