MEMBERS of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team have received medals from the Queen as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The volunteer rescue charity confirmed that thirty-four members of its operational team received Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medals on Wednesday. 

The team were awarded the medals by Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins DL JP  on Wednesday 18 May on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The medals were presented at the team’s base, Ladybridge Hall, Heaton, in the presence of team members and their families.

The Queen’s Jubilee Medal is awarded to individual George and Victoria Cross recipients, serving members of the Armed Forces and emergency services and acts as a token of the nation's thanks to those who diligently serve the public.

The history of awarding medals to mark Royal Jubilees dates back to the Victorian period when the first medal was awarded to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Bury Times: Members of Bolton Mountain Rescue were awarded Platinum Jubilee Medals last monthMembers of Bolton Mountain Rescue were awarded Platinum Jubilee Medals last month

Glen Mayhew, Assistant Chief Constable, National portfolio lead Search and Rescue said: “I want to personally thank you for the professionalism and commitment your teams display as Search and Rescue volunteers.

“The high level of skill and outstanding passion for this role makes such a difference and the [Queen’s Platinum Jubilee] Medal is being awarded as a token of the nation’s thanks. I appreciate that the callouts will occur at the most inconvenient times and the SAR volunteers are reliant on supportive and understanding families, friends and employers.

“Can I again thank you and all your teams for all that you do, in different roles and all weathers. We are honoured to have such dedicated and professional volunteers working alongside the statutory authorities.”

Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT) was established in 1968 and covers 360 square miles from Rivington and Darwen in the north to Manchester Airport in the south, to Wigan in the west and to Bury in the east.

Bolton Mountain Rescue Team has 51 volunteers on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

BMRT responds, on average, to 100 calls for its assistance per year and the team supports emergency services across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.