Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team (NNPMRT) and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team (NOTMRT) are proud to announce they have been jointly awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
This prestigious accolade, created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and continued following the accession of His Majesty The King, recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.
Often regarded as the MBE for voluntary groups, both teams have been jointly recognised for their dedication, courage, and commitment in safeguarding residents and visitors across Northumberland.
As voluntary organisations, NNPMRT and NOTMRT provide essential life-saving services, responding to incidents across the county of Northumberland, including the upland landscapes of Northumberland National Park, as well in Tyne and Wear. Their work, spanning search and rescue for lost or injured outdoor enthusiasts, searches for vulnerable and despondent individuals in semi-urban and rural areas, response to extreme weather events, and community support, is entirely carried out by volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time and expertise to assist those in need. From aiding injured hikers to responding to wildfires and severe storms, the teams play a crucial role in the North East’s emergency response framework.
The challenges faced by both teams have grown significantly over the past decade. Former Team Leader for NNPMRT Iain Nixon noted the increased demands, stating: “Over the last 10 years, we have seen the number of incidents rise to an average 76 incidents a year, a three and a half fold increase. This is in part due to the increased popularity of Northumberland as a tourist and outdoor activity destination, which is a great thing for the county.
“Our volunteers have had to contend with a crashed glider high on The Cheviot, several severe storms, supporting the fire service with a number of major wildfires, and of course, responding to 46 incidents in a 72-hour period during the Beast from the East.”
In addition to handling these natural and man-made emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a unique set of challenges. Like many teams across Mountain Rescue England and Wales both NNPMRT and NOTMRT were forced to reassess and adapt their operations to ensure the safety of their volunteers and the public. The pandemic tested the teams’ resilience, requiring a complete review of procedures in preparation for the post-pandemic surge in outdoor activities.
Team Leader for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team Keith Briggs explained “ COVID and the cost-of living crisis have meant more people are enjoying our beautiful countryside which means more need our assistance. This award not only celebrates the bravery and commitment of the teams’ volunteers but also underscores the essential role we play in supporting the North East’s thriving outdoor tourism.
“The work we carry out is only made possible through the dedication of our volunteers, all highly trained individuals, who continually strive to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who ventures into the region’s vast wilderness.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland, Dr Caroline Pryer LL will present both teams with the award at a ceremony later this year. She said “I was enormously impressed by the commitment of all volunteers of both Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team working together to ensure a fully professional, effective and efficient rescue service covering Northumbria Police area.
“During the KAVS process, both teams evidenced not only the substantial and sustained contribution from each volunteer but the outstanding teamwork in training, preparation and rescue incidents and the dedicated support to residents and visitors in our county. My huge congratulations to both teams”
