Oldham Mountain Rescue Team

25/10/2026

Today is Mountain Rescue Awareness Day ⛰️

As the country is experiencing the second storm of the season it is worth remembering of the importance of keeping safe whilst out on the hills. Preparation is key to ensuring that your day does not end in disaster. During the autumn and winter months the conditions can change quickly and a seemingly minor incident can deteriorate rapidly. Before heading out, take a moment to make sure you’re :

⛈ Check the weather forecast
Conditions on the tops can be far more severe than in the valley. Strong winds, horizontal rain and poor visibility can turn a simple walk into a serious challenge. Not every day is right for an adventure.

🧣Carry warm, waterproof layers and a shelter
Even short trips can become long waits if something goes wrong. Staying warm and dry is massively important.

🔦Pack a torch and some spare batteries.
With the days getting shorter and the nights closing in, it’s easy to get caught out. A reliable light source helps you stay safe and find your way.

🗺️ Plan your route and take a map & compass
Phones are brilliant, but batteries die and signals drop. A paper backup and the skills to use it, keeps you in control.

A little preparation goes a long way. Stay safe and enjoy the hills this autumn and winter.

Kensington Palace

🏔️ The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared the following message to mark Mountain Rescue Awareness Day:

"On Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, we send our heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteer their time and expertise to keep people safe in some of our most beautiful but challenging landscapes.

Through our connection with this remarkable organisation, we have seen first-hand the dedication, professionalism and compassion that define their work.

Meeting local mountain rescue teams during the Three Peaks Challenge this summer was an opportunity to say thank you in person for the vital role they play in keeping walkers and climbers safe on the mountains all year round.

We are incredibly proud to support the extraordinary volunteers who respond in all conditions, often at a moment’s notice, to help others when they need it most. To everyone across the mountain rescue community, thank you for your unwavering commitment, courage and service.

W & C"

📸 Kensington Palace

24/10/2026

Who doesn’t love a trip to IKEA?

23/10/2026

🚨 Callout – 20/10/26

On Tuesday, shortly after 2pm, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) requested our assistance with a walker who was feeling unwell at Dovestones.

Using SARLOC phone-location technology, we were able to pinpoint the casualty’s location near Ashway Memorial Cross.

Our team quickly made their way up to the indicated location, where the casualty was assessed by one of our team medics. They were provided with additional warm layers before being carefully escorted on foot down to our waiting OMRT control vehicle for further assessment.
Once these checks were complete, the casualty was driven back to their car in the car park.

🕒 Duration: 2 hours
👥 Volunteers involved: 12 OMRT

🚑 Help us keep responding
Our ageing Land Rovers are vital to getting our team and equipment into places other vehicles simply can't reach. We're fundraising to replace them.

💷 Please support our Vehicle Fundraiser:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/omrtvehiclesfundraiser
Every donation, big or small, helps us continue responding when people need us most. ❤️

Thank you for your continued support.

greatermanchesterpolice
Greater Manchester Police

22/10/2026

🚨 Callout – 19/10/26

On Monday evening, shortly after 8pm, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) requested our assistance following a report of a lost walker at Dovestones.

Based on the information provided, two potential search areas were identified: Birchen Clough and Raven Stones. Our volunteer team quickly mobilised to deploy to both locations, before GMP confirmed the walker’s location near Birchen Clough.

Our team members swiftly located the individual and, following an initial assessment, provided additional warm layers before escorting them down Birchen Clough. They then assisted the individual across the water above the weir and safely to our waiting 4x4 Control vehicle.

The individual was brought back to our base for a final check. They were then driven in a team vehicle to the local train station where they continued their journey home.

🕒 Duration: 2.5 hours
👥 Volunteers involved: 18 OMRT

🚑 Help us keep responding
Our ageing Land Rovers are vital to getting our team and equipment into places other vehicles simply can't reach. We're fundraising to replace them.

💷 Please support our Vehicle Fundraiser:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/omrtvehiclesfundraiser
Every donation, big or small, helps us continue responding when people need us most. ❤️

Thank you for your continued support.

Greater Manchester Police
greatermanchesterpolice

13/10/2026

Friday night saw the last in a string of fundraising events and activities which had been organised for our Vehicles Fundraising Campaign by avid fundraiser Paul G.

❓ Taking place at Denshaw Village Hall the Quiz Night was hosted by quizmaster Bob Rogers with a pie supper made and supplied by Nicky’s Food Bar and bar provided by Halfway Horse Events.

It was a fantastic turnout with the hall filled with local residents alongside keen quizzers and supporters from further afield.

OMRT team came second overall winning some giant toblerones which will be much appreciated by the team.

The total raised on the night was a fantastic £1464.78.

🚗 A few weeks prior to the Quiz night saw the fundraising Car Wash take place. Organised by Paul, the car washing cohort from Denshaw along with support from team members raised nearly £600. It wasn’t your average car wash, with drivers offered tours of our base and the opportunity to buy cakes and cookies from Lillipops Cakes, with donations made for every bake sold.

🏌️‍♀️A few days before the Car Wash saw Manchester Golf Club host a Captains Charity Golf Day to raise funds for OMRT and the Jolly Josh Charity.

Team members joined keen golfers on this sunny September day to raise awareness about the team and our fundraiser, and even got a putting lesson from Andrew Murray, European Open Winner.

The day raised £1085 for the team, another fantastic boost to our campaign.

A massive thanks to everyone who was involved in organising and who contributed, donated and took part in these events to enable every penny raised to go to our fundraising campaign, it really is appreciated.

Nicky's FoodBar
Manchester Golf Club
Lillipops

11/10/2026

We are truly sorry to share this sad news of Search Dog Abbie’s passing.

Serving nine years as an operational search dog for both Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team and OMRT, Abbie together with her handler, Mark attended over 80 searches making four operational finds.

Abbie was a hugely valued team member and our thoughts go out to Abbie’s Handler, Mark, his family, Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England and all our team mates at Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team.

Rest in peace Abbie, still on the hill.

🐾

Read more on Abbie in the post shared below.
Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team
Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England

🐾 Remembering Search Dog Abbie

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Search Dog Abbie has sadly passed away.

For nine years, Abbie served on the call-out list with both Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team and Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, working alongside her handler across the Peak District and beyond.

Together, Abbie and her handler attended more than 80 searches, often in darkness, difficult weather and challenging terrain. She made four operational finds and was a hugely valued member of the Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England family.

Abbie officially retired from operational duty on her 12th birthday, but her legacy within search and rescue continues.
Her daughter Izzie is also an operational search dog, working with the same handler, while her granddaughter Kenzie is currently in training to follow in their footsteps.
Three generations of search dogs, all sharing the same handler — a remarkable legacy and a testament to the bond between a handler and their dogs.

Abbie wasn't simply a working dog. She was a much-loved member of the team and a companion who gave years of loyalty, courage and dedication in the service of others.

Our thoughts are with Abbie’s handler and his family, and with all those within Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team and Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England who knew and loved her.

Abbie leaves behind an incredible legacy — one that will quite literally continue through the next generations.

As is traditional within the Mountain Rescue community, there is one final message for a search dog who has given so much:
“Your search is over. Stand down, Abbie. SD Abbie out.”

Rest easy, Abbie. 🐾
You will never be forgotten. ❤️

10/10/2026

🗓️ Head down to The Satellite Centre, Greenfield this coming Monday, the 12th October, for a Community Brew.🫖

☕️Enjoy delicious homemade cakes with a hot brew. All in good company, whilst listening to Peter Hyde, our team President, giving a talk on OMRT.

🍰All funds raised will be donated to the team.🧁

03/10/2026

🧠 GET YOUR QUIZ TEAM TOGETHER!

The Denshaw community is getting together for a Quiz night fundraiser for Oldham Mountain Rescue Team to help us raise further funds towards our vehicles replacement project.
📅 Friday 9 October 2026

⏰ From 7.30pm

🏫Denshaw Village Hall, Denshaw

💰£10 per person - 6 people per team

🥧 Pie supper included

Our President, Peter, will also be giving a presentation on the team and our current fundraiser.
We’ll be putting our own team in — so we need some quiz brains to join us!

Get a team together from your friends, family or work colleagues and come along for a great night and some friendly competition.

To register your team and for more information contact Sarah 07879 612570

Who’s putting a team together?

02/10/2026

Rescues of 18-24-year-olds have more than doubled in Wales and England since 2019, rescuers say.

26/09/2026

Congratulations to Search Dog Ace and his handler Rick.

Out of hundreds of nominations our very own Search Dog Ace was declared the winner at this years BBC Making a Difference Awards. Ace took home The Animal Award for assisting in the search for missing persons locally and across the country.

Ace looked very dapper as he donned his best bow tie for the event.

Well done to all the winners and nominees of this years award. Ace is looking forward to sharing the award (and cake) with his team mates. 🐾🏆

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19kYivhrhA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

BBC Manchester