Latest news with #ClevelandMountainRescue
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Five Teesside stories you may have missed this week
A soon to be 80-year-old mountain rescue volunteer, a statue unveiling of a cat that became a "local celebrity" and two brothers who competed in the TV series Race Across the World share their experience. Here are five stories from Teesside you may have missed this week. 'You just do it because it helps people' Most people celebrating their 80th birthday do not run the risk of being called away to a work emergency - but that will be a possibility for Gari Finch. The soon-to-be octogenarian from Great Ayton, in North Yorkshire, has been a volunteer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue for 54 years, and so far he has at least 1,500 call-outs to his Mr Finch's teammates know better than to suggest that after this latest milestone, he should hang up his distinctive red uniform and enjoy more about Mr Finch's service to Mountain Rescue here Boats back in leaky lake ahead of further repairs Boats are sailing once again in an historic, but leaky, lake ahead of further lake, at Newcomen Terrace in Coatham, Redcar, has had low water levels for years, forcing a model boat club to race radio controlled cars there instead.A test refill in April failed, prompting an investigation, and more repairs to a pump and the structure's base will be carried out this more about the mini vessels here No translation help for riot forms, PCC says The office for a police and crime commissioner has said the Home Office did not help translate riot compensation forms to help those affected by last summer's the wake of a stabbing attack in Southport, rioting broke out across the country, with disorder in Hartlepool on 31 July, followed by Sunderland on 2 August and Middlesbrough on 4 August.A spokeswoman for Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said that many of those affected did not speak English and so they would have expected some translation help with the forms designed to offer what the office of Cleveland PCC said here Crowds gather for cat statue unveiling A cat that became a "local celebrity" has had a statue unveiled in its than £4,000 was raised to place a bronze statue on Saltburn's pier in Redcar and Cleveland, where Hendrix was a familiar face - often visiting cafes and feline, who previously lived in Whitley Bay and was known to hop on Metro trains, was much-loved by locals and tourists Nathan Bye thanked the people of Saltburn, Hendrix's international social media fanbase and Redcar Council who had supported the campaign to memorialise him. Race Across the World 'surreal' for brothers Two brothers who competed in the TV series Race Across the World say the experience and associated public recognition still does not feel and Brian Mole, who are both in their 60s, formed one of five teams who raced more than 14,000km (8,700 miles) across China, Nepal and India to try to win £20, of Wednesday's final episode, Melvyn, a driving instructor who lives in Middlesbrough, said appearing on the show was "a surreal journey" which did not end with what else Melvyn and Brian say here Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'You just do it because it helps people'
Most people celebrating their 80th birthday do not run the risk of being called away to a work emergency - but that will be a possibility for Gari Finch. The soon-to-be octogenarian from Great Ayton, in North Yorkshire, has been a volunteer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue for 54 years, and so far he has at least 1,500 call-outs to his Mr Finch's teammates know better than to suggest that after this latest milestone, he should hang up his distinctive red uniform and enjoy says he will continue in the volunteer role he has done since the early 1970s "as long as I'm still of some use"."I'm still in my 20s in my brain - it's the rest of my body that's not there," he says. Cleveland Mountain Rescue was established in 1965, and is run entirely by a group of about 70 volunteers, with no paid members of staff. A keen climber and walker, Mr Finch says he was inspired to join in 1971 to "put a little bit back into society"."I thought, if I fall off a crag or have an accident, I would like someone to come and help me," he told Naga Munchetty on BBC 5 Live."So, consequently, when the opportunity came, I joined up."Alongside his full-time teaching job, he was a search and rescue officer for over 25 years, responding to accidents and incidents across the North York Moors, the coastline between Sandsend and Hartlepool, and the Tees Finch was even part of the team sent to Scotland to help recover debris from the Lockerbie disaster in 1988, the UK's deadliest terror atrocity, when a bomb in the hold of a Pan Am flight to America exploded above the town. In 2013, Mr Finch received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his dedication to mountain rescue services - although, according to him, it was "a team effort". Mr Finch says his late wife, Sandy, also played a vital role in the operation of Cleveland Mountain Rescue, "taking up the reins" and speaking to emergency services in his absence if an urgent call came died nearly six years ago, and Mr Finch credits the friendships he has formed at the mountain rescue organisation for helping him through that difficult period."Apart from helping people, the camaraderie and banter and friends I've made over the years is brilliant," he explains."That's what's keeping me going, to be perfectly honest." Cleveland Mountain Rescue has also reached a significant anniversary this year - 60 years in operation, making Mr Finch its longest-standing Greive, public relations officer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue, says: "Gari joined the team in 1971, and 54 years later he is still an active member. "He epitomises what volunteering is about: giving up his time, using his skills to help others."To this day, Mr Finch still plays an active role in the team as a radio operator, helping to coordinate search and rescue efforts, as well as using his skills to train others."I think I'm still of some use," Mr Finch says."I'm still on the call-out list, so when there's a call-out, off I go to the base to prepare the Land Rovers and the radios."You don't do it for money or anything, you just do it because it's there to be done. It's something useful and it helps people." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Rescuers out of action 'for weeks' after theft
Mountain rescuers have been put out of action for at least a "couple of weeks" after their equipment was stolen. Volunteer rescuers from the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team (NOTMRT) and Wales' Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) had travelled to Middlesbrough at the weekend to deliver training to the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team. But when they returned to their vehicles at their accommodation, they found their equipment had been stolen. Mark Silmon, chair of NOTMRT said it was "really sad" and "extremely disappointing" that more than £1,500 worth of his rescue team gear was missing and that his van had been damaged. "What happened is unpleasant, unnecessary," he said. "We're all volunteers, we give up our time for free." Specialist equipment, including helmets and climbing gear, was stolen from the two trainers' vehicles. Mr Silmon said he expected himself and the other trainer to be "off the hill for at least a couple of weeks". "I can't just go out and spend £1,500 on equipment that wasn't planned for," he said. He said other rescuers had offered to lend him equipment, and he was working with his insurance company to replace the gear. Team leader for the Cleveland Mountain Rescue team Tim Wood said the situation was "massively frustrating". "It reduces their availability and ability to respond to call-outs," he said. "We're talking hundreds of pounds, and that's gone." Mr Wood asked people to "think twice" if they were offered the stolen equipment. Cleveland Police said it received reports two vehicles in the car park of the Premier Inn on Marton Way in Middlesbrough had been broken into on Saturday evening. A spokesperson added that an investigation was under way. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. Man rescued from ledge after 100ft fall Team of 21 mountain rescuers aid stranded walker Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal awarded to mountain rescue volunteers Cleveland Mountain Rescue
