The Wasdale MRT. Photo: Nigel Millard

Rescuers across England and Wales will demonstrate their skills as part of a continuing campaign to raise public awareness of the work they undertake.

Volunteers from teams across the country will take part in the second Mountain and Cave Rescue Awareness Day following last year’s successful inaugural events.

Mountain Rescue England & Wales chair David Allen said: “Many teams had their busiest year ever in 2010 and the public are interested in how we work, what we do and how they can help us.

“From Dartmoor to Cockermouth, Snowdonia to Scarborough, teams are opening up their bases to visitors, demonstrating their skills at local beauty spots and providing free training in essential skills such as first aid and navigation.”

The awareness day will take place on the 2 May bank holiday Monday, which will also mark the start of mountain rescue team members Gail Todd’s and Judy Whiteside’s Twirlies on Tour venture, in which the two women will tackle the km(192-mile) Coast to Coast Walk.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team will wave off the women from St Bees before the team makes its way to Wasdale Head for a day of public demonstrations. Team chairman Richard Warren said: “We’re hoping that we’ll draw a crowd and help Judy and Gail to reach their target with an early publicity boost.

“We’ll then be taking one of our Land Rovers up to Wasdale Head for the day to highlight the Wasdale team’s work to visitors.”

Members of Derby MRT will be out on Sunday 1 May in one of the team’s most common call out areas, Dovedale.

“We’ll be demonstrating a selection of our equipment, including our specially adapted Land Rover and command and control vehicle,” said Kevin Corcoran, of the team. “We’re hoping that the visitors to this popular dale will support our fundraising on the day too.”

And, as grough reported, Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team is urging supporters to get in the red, with and event at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley. Team leader Keith Wakeley said: “We’re based between Sheffield and Huddersfield on the eastern edge of the Peak District and we get great support from our local communities.

“Our aim for the day is to combine a fun family day out – with everyone dressed in red – with demonstrations, a bit of informal skills training and plenty of musical entertainment as well.”

David Allan added: “We’re hoping that the 2011 Awareness Day will give the public an opportunity to find out about the broad range of skills that these teams of volunteers offer, their commitment to training and service and the local need for funds and support.”