Judy Whiteside, left, and Gail Todd
Two mountain rescuers who plan to walk across England will make a television appearance tomorrow.
Judy Whiteside and Gail Todd will start their 309km (192-mile) Coast to Coast Walk on Monday, 2 May, the National Mountain and Cave Rescue Awareness Day, when they will be waved off on their trek by members of the Wasdale team.
Morning TV viewers will be able to see footage of the women’s preparation for their challenge, filmed along with action from the Langdale and Ambleside team, on the BBC’s Breakfast show from 6am on Easter Monday.
Judy, who edits Mountain Rescue magazine, and her fellow Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team member Gail aim to raise £5,000 for a planned benevolent fund to help the families of volunteer rescuers injured in action.
The pair will be met en route by members from 10 different rescue teams covering the route, before a planned celebration and launch of the fund at Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.
The women have dubbed their venture the Twirlies on Tour and so far have raised more than £1,800 towards their target through their justgiving website.
Judy said: “It is going to be a big challenge to come anywhere near our target: £5,000 is a big sum but it will also make a big difference.
“We’ve had a brilliant response so far and we’re hoping that Sir Chris Bonington will be joining us for at least part of the walk from Rosthwaite in Borrowdale to Grasmere on Wednesday 4 May.
“To raise our target amount would be fantastic but we’re also wanting to let more people know about the invaluable work of mountain rescue teams. Sir Chris’s involvement should help us to promote these teams of volunteers too.”
After seeing the two walkers off, the Wasdale team will decamp to Wasdale Head, in the heart of their territory, where they will set up display boards and be on hand to answer any questions passing walkers and climbers may wish to ask about the service.
Richard Warren of the Wasdale team said: “We will also use it as an opportunity to send out the messages about safety on the hills and the need for walkers to be well prepared, taking the good old map, compass and torch rather than rely on the mobile phone and new smart phone applications that are being used more and more these days.”
The Peel Tower, Ramsbottom. Photo: Paul Anderson CC-BY-SA-2.0
And members of the women’s own team have thrown down their own challenge to supporters and members of the public, with a chance to abseil off the 39m (128ft) Peel Tower above Ramsbottom in Lancashire on 2 May.
The team will supply equipment and guidance and members of the public can take part for a £20 donation. Anyone providing £100 or more sponsorship will get their fee refunded. Cash will go towards running the rescue team.
More details of the Holcombe Hill event can be found on the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team website.
Buxton Mountain Rescue Team members will also be meeting the public with an equipment display in the Spring Gardens shopping centre, Buxton, on the bank holiday Monday. The team will also have one of its operational vehicles at the event.
Team leader Neil Carruthers said “The bank holiday is a good chance to reach a wide range of people with information about what we do, how we’re funded and what they can do to support us and to make sure that we’re around to help if they ever need us.
“We would like to thank the Spring Gardens shopping centre and High Peak Borough Council for their support.”
