Richard Warren of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Volunteer mountain rescuers have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Richard Warren, a stalwart of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, was appointed an OBE for services to mountain rescue in Cumbria and the Lake District.

The team’s chair John Bamforth said: “Richard is a trusted and conscientious member of our team, who will go out on rescues at any time of day or night.

“His contribution to the running of our team and the regional association in his nearly 40 years to date has been very significant and he has left a legacy of achievements as well as demonstrating how to behave as a mountain rescue volunteer in an exemplary and professional manner.

“On behalf of the team, please accept our heartfelt congratulations on this deserving achievement.”

During his time with the Wasdale team, he has been buildings officer, secretary, press officer and drones officer. He also chaired of the team for many years.

Mr Warren also served as secretary and then chair of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association. The Wasdale team said he has been totally committed in his roles as WMRT and LDSAMRA press officer, delivering regular interviews with local and national radio, television, and newspapers, asking visitors to be mindful and consider the additional pressures placed on the emergency services and local mountain rescue teams especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In particular, he has been instrumental in getting the message across to reduce the number of what he terms as avoidable accidents, by raising issues such as preparedness whenever he can,” it added.

Mr Warren said: “It is an immense honour to be receiving this award which I would like to dedicate to my family and friends who have supported me throughout the last 40 years.

“It is a privilege to play a small part in my local mountain rescue team, as well as the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, and the wider mountain rescue community. I value the fact that we remain a voluntary organisation, and I am extremely proud of the service we provide.”

A married couple from north Wales were appointed MBEs. Iain and Becky Ashcroft, of Mold, received the accolade for services to mountain rescue.

They are both members of North East Wales Search and Rescue and Iain also serves on the umbrella organisation for the region, the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association. Becky is chair of Newsar. Between them, they have more than 60 years’ service in mountain rescue.

Charlie MacLeod, training officer of Assynt Mountain Rescue Team, was also appointed an MBE.

His decision to embark on voluntary service in mountain rescue followed an incident on the Matterhorn in the 1980s when he was stranded on the mountain summit with his climbing partner who died at the scene. He had to be helicoptered off the Swiss peak.

He has been the Assynt team’s training officer for 12 years and is also a member of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association. He received the honour for voluntary service in Scotland.

Mr MacLeod is living with terminal prostate cancer, but said the support he has received from fellow members of Scottish Mountain Rescue and Sarda have been fantastic.

Nigel Lister, chair of Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team, will receive a British Empire Medal. His award is for services to the nuclear industry and mountain rescue.

Mr Lister, of Broughton in Furness, is an environment, health, safety, security
and quality director for nuclear waste services.

He has been a member of the Duddon and Furness rescue team for more than 25 years.

Ramblers Scotland president Zahrah Mahmood

The president of Ramblers Scotland, Zahrah Mahmood, was appointed an MBE in the birthday honours.

The chartered accountant, who lives in Glasgow, received her award for voluntary service in Scotland.

Ms Mahmood, known as the Hillwalking Hijabi, took up her post with the walkers’ charity in 2023.