Zoe Ketteridge and Callum Rock, who both spoke of their rescues at the awards

A walker who fell from Yorkshire’s highest peak told of her enduring nightmares after her ordeal, when she met rescuers who saved her life.

Zoe Ketteridge, from Methley, Leeds, fell 100m after she slipped on ice on Whernside in 2009.

Ms Kettridge and her husband Jon were at a ceremony held to honour Yorkshire’s volunteer rescuers at the weekend.

The Visit Yorkshire-organised event at Ravenscar on the east coast was attended by five organisations that operate in the county, helping stricken walkers, climbers, mountain bikers and cavers. The Search & Rescue Awards brought Ms Kettridge and climber Callum Rock, 17, from Middlesbrough, face to face with the men and women who rescued them.

The 42-year-old walker said: “I have a vivid memory of falling. I have stopped having the nightmares now but everyone in this room was involved in my rescue. I am in awe of their dedication, it is amazing. They are the unsung heroes.”

She has raised funds for the Cave Rescue Organisation since her accident in February 2009.

Her husband added: “I was very close to losing the most important person in my life that day. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to say thank you for the wonderful work you do.”

Callum Rock was rescued from Highcliff Nab, Guisborough, in August 2010 after falling 21m (70ft).

Cleveland Search and Rescue Team played a major part in helping to save Callum who was climbing with his father.

The Teesside teenager suffered horrendous injuries including multiple skull and facial fractures and was on a life-support machine.

He said: “They saved my life and I wanted to be here to support them and to say thank you.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “These lifesaving volunteers are vital to Yorkshire and vital in keeping our visitors safe.

“It has been an honour to support tonight’s Search & Rescue Awards ceremony to highlight the invaluable work they do.”

The Cave Rescue Organisation, Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association all received team awards.

Individual team members also received personal awards.

Zoe and Jon Ketteridge join CRO award winners

Roy Holmes of the CRO, who joined in 1963, has served as an underground controller and team chairman. Among many awards Roy holds the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal and a 40 year long service certificate.

Also from the Clapham-based organisation, which carries out both fell and cave rescues, Jennifer Claire Holmes is a support member for the team, providing food for long duration rescues and supports fundraising activities. She has been involved with the team since the late 1960s.

Jack Pickup, a cave diver, carried out the first recorded underwater rescue form a cave in March 1969. A life member of Cave Rescue Organisation holding a 40 year long service award Jack has served as duty controller and chair of the Cave Rescue Organisation.

The Cleveland team's award recipients

From the Cleveland Search and Rescue team, Steve Glasper, a member since the mid-1970s, organises team training sessions every week and has been one of the advanced first aiders for the last 25 years. He also co-ordinates the joint training in all of the North East Mountain Rescue Teams.

Dave Cook is the longest serving member after joining in October 1970. He has recently been awarded a 40-year long service award and attends most of the team’s 40 call outs a year as well as being responsible for looking after their collection tins.

Allan Mann has been a member of since the 1990s and treasurer for the last five years. He has worked tirelessly to secure the team’s financial footing in difficult times and has been instrumental in raising more than £160,000 for the base’s renovation works.

From Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team, David Edwards is a team party leader and driver for the team, living close to the team base and is generally one of the first to be called to respond to callouts at all hours. He takes an active role in fundraising activities and presenting to local interest groups.

The Scarborough team's award holders

Roger Hartley is an experienced party leader, casualty carer and team driver. He and a friend have completed the Coast to Coast Walk and John O’Groats to Land’s End cycle ride to raise funds for the team and Grace Murray who suffers with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Ian Hugill, deputy team leader, has been a member of the team for 11 years. He has brought a wealth of experience in dealing with incidents to the team after previously working within the military.

Swaledale Mountain Rescue team member Graham Brown first joined in 1972 and is currently the team’s equipment officer. He has been a key player in developing the medical cascare syllabus, widely recognised as the ‘gold standard’ in mountain rescue.

Swaledale's award winners

The Swaledale team, along with Upper Wharfedale and the CRO, is one of three Yorkshire teams that operate both above and below ground.

Sandra Brown has been a team callout officer since the late 80s. Callout officers are the ‘unsung heroes’ of mountain rescue, tirelessly working to wake rescuers up at all hours. Sandra is also married to Graham and so deserves additional praise for putting up with disturbed nights for years.

Christine Rutter is also a team callout officer who has been with the team since the early 90s. Married to team member Dave, Christine also deserves additional praise for putting up with disturbed nights for many years.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association stalwart Peter Huff has devoted a lifetime to rescue work after his father founded the team in 1948. Renowned for his invaluable knowledge and skill, Peter is also secretary of the Yorkshire Dales Rescue Panel and a representative on the Mountain Rescue England and Wales committee.

Upper Wharfedale team members who received awards

Howard Driver, warden, has ensured that the team’s equipment is maintained at all times for nearly 50 years. Known for his dedication and commitment, Howard spends time giving talks about their work and has recorded the activities of the team since its inception.

Ken Robinson has a wealth of experience in dealing with casualties, ensuring they have the best treatment. His experience, ability to organise and efforts to train other members, shows his strong dedication to the team.