ANNUAL REPORT 2013 north west mountain rescue team Minimum Donation 2.00 nwmrt north west mountain rescue team
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Contents 6-7 Foreword by Davy Campbell, Team Leader 8-9 nwmrt - Who we are by Joe Dowdall, Operations Officer 10-11 Callout log - Mountain, Cave, Cliff and Sea Cliff Rescue Incidents 2013 12-13 Community events Lowland Incidents 14-15 Search and Rescue Teams - Where we fit in 16-17 Operations - Five Days in March by Graeme Stanbridge, Chairperson 18-19 Snowbound by Archie Ralston President Rotary Club Carluke Acknowledgements Executive Editor Graeme Stanbridge Editorial Team Louis Edmondson Michael McConville Catherine Scott Catherine Tilbury Proof Reading Gillian Crawford Design Rachel Beckley Photography Paul McNicholl Anthony Murray Trevor Quinn 20 Slemish Challenge 21 Belfast Hills Walk 23 Animal Rescue 25 Mountain Safety 28 Contact Details nwmrt would like to thank all our supporters, funders and sponsors, especially Sports Council NI 5
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Foreword by Davy Campbell, Team Leader The north west mountain rescue team was established in Derry City in 1980 to provide a volunteer search and rescue service for the north west of Northern Ireland. Today our area of operations has extended to include all of Northern Ireland, with the exception of the Mourne Mountains which is covered by its own team. However, as a member of Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI), we actively support any of the 11 other teams based on the island of Ireland. The team provides a 24-hour call-out service at the request of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) requiring a high level of commitment from our team members, who are expected to respond in all weather conditions, 365 days of the year. Skills expected from the team are wide ranging, requiring a high level of competency including medical assistance, search, recovery, technical rope rescue and incident control. In addition each member must be able to work in severe weather, navigate, operate effective communications and independently sustain themselves for a minimum of 24-hours in the course of a rescue. As Team Leader, I am immensely proud and privileged to be able to work with such a dedicated and professional group of volunteers and wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for their untiring efforts throughout 2013. Finally I would also like to acknowledge and thank those other agencies and organisations which we regularly work alongside in the interest of the casualty. These include the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Irish Coast Guard and Irish Army Air Corps for their helicopter support, PSNI, HM Coastguard, NI Ambulance Service, NI Fire and Rescue Service, Search and Rescue Dogs Association, British Red Cross, Community Rescue Service, other mountain rescue teams across Ireland, Sport NI and the NI Mountain Cave Cliff Rescue Coordinating Committee for their coordination role of mountain rescue in Northern Ireland.Also, all the individuals and organizations who contribute grants and donations without which we would not be able to operate as effectively as we do. Davy Campbell December 2013 7
Who we are by Joe Dowdall, Operations Officer The north west mountain rescue team operate over 80% of Northern Ireland and regularly assist teams in the Irish Republic. Sixty three volunteer members are highly trained in all the essential and varied skills, including first aid - that a mountain rescue team requires to provide an effective all year round service. The essential equipment includes four bespoke vehicles and state of the art communications. In order to respond quickly, the team is organized into three sections based in Enniskillen, Magherafelt and Ballymena, and known as West, Central and East Sections respectively. The section nearest to the incident provides an immediate response until additional resources arrive from the two other sections. To remain competent, sections train two evenings per month in multi-disciplined activities. All three sections come together regularly for scenario based exercises during which they operate under a central control. In addition, team members attend events run by MRI, Mountain Rescue Council of Scotland, Mountain Rescue England and Wales, Sport NI and Tollymore National Outdoor Centre. Our volunteers come from all professions and walks of life. They give their time freely in the service of the whole community, not just in search and rescue operations but in education, public safety and responding to events to increase awareness about the service. As part of their role, members of the team undertake a number of fund raising events throughout the year. These includes activities such as street collections and sponsored marathon running in full kit and back pack. We feel that it is the families of these volunteers, who support them - sometimes in very difficult circumstances, who are the real heroes. Together we are a team! This is who we are. 8
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Callout Log Mountain, cave, cliff and sea cliff rescue incidents 2013 In 2013 there were a total of 37 search and rescue operations in mountain, cave, cliff and sea cliff incidents and a further four lowland call out incidents. Search and rescue organisation teams CRS - Community Rescue Service NIAS - Northern Ireland Ambulance Service including Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) NIFRS - Northern Ireland Fire Rescue Service NWMRT - North West Mountain Rescue Team PSNI - Police Service Northern Ireland. PSNI SRT - Police Service Northern Ireland Search and Rescue Team. PSNI MRT - Police Service Northern Ireland Mountain Rescue Team RAFMR - Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue IAAC - Irish Army Air Corps 4 January 17.08: Search for missing aircraft on Benbradagh, Co Londonderry. Teams: NWMRT, NIAS, NIFRS, PSNI 18.15: Stood down, fire on Benbradagh. Members: 24 14 January 17.15: Night Search for vulnerable person on Cavehill, Belfast, Co Antrim Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 18.10: Stood down, person located. Members: 11 16 January 09.20: Rescue on Cavehill, Belfast, Co Antrim Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 10.00: Stood down, person recovered. Members: 16 17 January 17.35: Night search rough terrain. Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 23.30: Stood down, person not found. Members: 8 18 January 08.30: Search rough terrain. Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, PSNI MRT. 14.00: Stood down, missing person located. Members: 18 21 January 14.55: Search for missing person on Divis Mountain, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT 15.30: Stood down, missing person located. Members: 2 17 February 15.12: Search for missing child in Knockmany Forest, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, PSNI Helicopter 00.00: Stood down, child located by PSNI heli team Members: 2 22 March 16.15 Evacuation of thirty three people from bus trapped in snow drifts, North Antrim. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 21.30: Stood down all passengers taken to safety. Members: 6 22 March 14.00: Search for missing person at Torr Head Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 15.55: Stood down Rescued safely Members: 4 23 March 08.10: Search for family trapped in snow in Glenarm, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 13.00: Stood down, successful rescue. Members: 6 24 March 11.16: Search for missing person. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI SRT 13.00: Stood down, person located and assisted back to his home. Members: 10 24 March 20.40: Assist Northern Ireland Ambulance Service through snow-blocked roads to reach elderly diabetic person, injured after a fall. Teams: NWMRT, NIAS, PSNI, HART. 23.59: Stood down, person treated by NIAS. Members: 8 25 March 13.00: Supply drop to farms cut off by snow at Torr Head. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, PSNIMRT, RAFMR Successful humanitarian rescue. Members: 8 26 March 14.30: Supply drop Armoy Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 16.15: Stood down, successful humanitarian rescue. Members: 12 10
28 March 15.10: 15.10: Rescue of climbers on Binevenagh Mountain, Co Londonderry Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, IAAC helicopter. 17.20: Stood down, airlifted off and returned to car by NWMRT. Members: 17 1 April 11.00: Search for missing person in Glenarriff forest, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 12.30: Team stood down, person located. Members: 17 19 May 05.50: Search for missing person Ederney Quarry. Co Fermanagh. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 14.00: Stood down, missing person found at friends house. Members: 17 14 June 14.17: Search for missing person at Lough Acrussel Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 1830: Stood down, person located by PSNI at a different location. Members: 14 22 June 10.40: Rescue of person on Slieve Donard, Co Down, with minor head wound and dislocation of shoulder. Teams: NWMRT, 12.00: Stood down, person evacuated Members: 2 29 June 12.50: Stretcher rescue of injured person on Slemish Mountain, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT, 15.30: Stood down, after person evacuated to car park. Members: 8 6 July 16.55: Rescue of injured person during Omagh walking festival, Sperrin Mountains, Co Tyrone Teams: NWMRT. 18.00: Stood down, person evacuated off mountain to vehicle. Members: 4 7 July 10.20: Person suffering from heat exhaustion Omagh walking festival, Sperrin Mountains, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT 12.00: Stood down, person treated and escorted from mountain by event staff. Members: 8 10 July 11.50 Search for vulnerable missing person Drumquin, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, CRS 21.30: Person not located. Members: 17 11 July 09.00: Search for vulnerable missing person Drumquin, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, CRS 18.00: Person not located. Members: 12 12 July 10.30: Search for vulnerable missing person Drumquin, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, CRS 19.30 Person not located. Members: 16 13 July 11.50 Search for vulnerable missing person Drumquin, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, CRS 21.30: Person not located. Members: 16 20 July 08.00 Search for vulnerable missing person Drumquin, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, CRS 18.00: Person not located. Members: 16 27/28 July 09.00-1800: Support for the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo. Assisted person for helirescue. Teams: All 12 mountain rescue teams. Members: 23 10 August 13.40: Rescue of young person with injury to left ankle from Lurig mountain, Cushendall, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT 16.15: Stood down, person evacuated to road then taken to hospital by ambulance. Members: 8 14 August 21.25: Rescue of person with head injury at Davagh Forest, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT, NIAS 22.30: Stood down, person evacuated to ambulance. Members: 9 17 August 17.22: Search for four runners missing at Davagh Forest, Co Tyrone. Teams: NWMRT 2030: Stood down, found by organisers, runners failed to log out from race. Members: 6 26 August 10.40: Rescue of injured person from Corkey Quarry, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI, 1200: Stood down after successful airlift by PSNI Members: 16 4 September 09.00: Search for vulnerable missing person, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh, in rugged, remote terrain. Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 17.20: Stood down, person located in or near slurry lagoon, deceased. Members: 13 21 September 16.00: Rescue of injured mountain biker at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, Co Down. Teams: NWMRT, HART 1630: Stood down. Members: 8 24 September 20.00: Search for six missing persons on Black Mountain, Co Antrim. Teams: NWMRT 23.30: Stood down, after successfully locating missing persons using SARLOC, a search and rescue locating app. Members: 15 2 November 07.00: Search for missing person at Mweelrea, Co Mayo. 1700: Stood down, person not located. Members: 10 27 December 14.53: Search for missing person in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. 1540: Stood down, after person found deceased. Members: 19 11
Community Events 1 March 13.00 16.00 Educational visit to Integrated School in Enniskillen Members: 2 5 March 10.30 12.30 Talk and display at Malvern House, Derry, Co Londonderry Members: 3 5 March 14.00 17.00 Demo to National Trust staff at Divis Members: 4 20 March 20.00 22.00 Talk and display at Derrylin Mothers Union Members: 2 24 March 09.30 13.30 Talks at Florence Court, Fermanagh Members: 3 11 April 18.00 23.30 Talk and navigation exercise with Ballinamallard Cub Scouts Members: 3 17 April 18.30 21.30 Talk and demo at Cullybackey High School Members: 2 7 May 19.00 21.00 Talk, display and demo to Ballyclare Army Cadets Members: 5 1 June 09.00 18.00 Display at RNLI open Day in Enniskillen Members: 6 20 June 18.30 20.30 Presentation to Scouts at Castle Archdale Members: 3 25 June 09.00 11.30 Demo to Edenderry School, Portadown Members: 3 24 July 13.00 16.00 Display at Fermanagh District Council s Families Event Members: 4 28 July 12.00 16.00 Display at Lough Neagh Rescue open day Members: 5 3 August 12.00 16.00 Display at Cushendall Lifeboat open day Members: 4 19 August 12.00 15.30 Talk/demo to Army Cadets and Probationary Service at Divis Members: 6 2 October 10.30 15.00 Demo to Special Needs Group in Portglenone Members: 4 14 October 19.00 20.30 Demo to Scout Group in Magherafelt Members: 5 16 October 19.00 20.30 Demo to Moss-side Boys Brigade Members: 8 28 October 13.30 15.30 Talk and demo to Dungannon Youth Club Members: 3 3 November 10.00 17.00 Provision of activities to Scout event in Markethill Members: 12 6 November 09.00 11.00 Demo to Primary School in Coleraine Members: 2 8 November 10.30 15.00 Demo to Special Needs Group in Portglenone Members: 4 28 November 19.00 21.30 Talk and demo to High Kirk Boys Brigade Members: 5 18 December 10.00 15.00 Santa visit to South West Area Hospital Members: 6 12
Lowland Callout Incidents 8 February 20.00 Search for missing person in Newry, Co Down Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 21.00: Stood down, person found. Members: 13 29 March 18.18: Search for a vulnerable missing person in Castlecoole Forest, Co.Fermanagh Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 19.40: Stood down Deceased located in forestry close. Members: 12 26 August 00.30: Search for vulnerable missing person Cookstown, Co Tyrone Teams: NWMRT, PSNI 01.00: Stood down Person found deceased Members: 2 9 October Four hour sheep rescue from cliff on Glenariff Teams: NWMRT Successful outcome Members: 8 13
Search and Rescue Teams Where we fit in DONEGAL DERRY ANTRIM Donegal MRT TYRONE North West MRT Sligo-Leitrim MRT FERMANAGH ARMAGH DOWN Mayo MRT MAYO SLIGO LEITRIM ROSCOMMON LONGFORD CAVAN MONAGHAN LOUTH Mourne MRT MEATH Galway MRT WESTMEATH GALWAY OFFALLY KILDARE DUBLIN Dublin-Wicklow MRT Search and Rescue Dog Association CLARE LAIOS CARLOW WICKLOW Glen of Imaal MRT TIPPERARY KILKENNY LIMERICK WEXFORD KERRY Kerry MRT CORK South Eastern MRT WATERFORD Tramore Cliff & MRT 14
nwmrt north west mountain rescue team Team Officers West Section Central Section East Section Team President: Uel Hamilton Section Leader: Keith Thompson Section Leader: Paul McNicholl Section Leader: Philip Neeson Chairperson: Graeme Stanbridge Team Leader: Davy Campbell Secretary: Eileen Coulter Treasurer: John Binns Operations Officer: Joe Dowdall Deputy Section Leader and Equipment Officer: Jhan Crane Training Officer: Barney O Loughlin Team Doctor: Ray Nethercott Fund Raising Officer: Kevin Baker Deputy Section Leader and Training Officer: Gerry Dowdall Technical Support: Seamus Bradley Deputy Section Leader: Dale Lockens Training Officer: Allen Thurston Team Paramedics: Michael McConville Dominic Lagan Team First Aid Officer: Marie Hayden 15
Operations Five days in March by Graeme Stanbridge - Chairperson nwmrt At the end of March 2013, Mother Nature slapped Spring in the face with three days of heavy snow, with high ground and counties in the North and East being particularly affected. This was the start of the busiest five days of operations we have experienced. Just after lunch on Friday 22 March we received a call out, to locate a missing person in the snow on the Antrim Hills. Within 25 minutes a vehicle was despatched from Ballymena and was on scene within an hour. As the casualty was evacuated a second call out was received. The vehicle was diverted to North Antrim and found 33 tourists, many elderly, on a coach stranded in the snow. It was dark so casualties were prioritised for evacuation, and it was obvious that the mobilised resources were insufficient. For this reason a second vehicle and additional team members were brought in from Magherafelt. Throughout the afternoon and evening we evacuated casualties using our vehicles in blizzard conditions. Early the next day we were called to assist a family trapped in their house by the snow, with other family members trapped 16
in another house some distance away. Team members battled in force five winds through snow drifts that covered walls and fences, and on finding everyone safe and well, left food and water for them to weather the storm. The team decided to take advantage of the conditions, and on Sunday arranged training where they experienced drifts up to 18 feet. It wasn t long before they received another call out, to locate a missing person tending to his animals. Having successfully located the person, we were further tasked to assist an elderly diabetic who suffered a fall. We guided members of the Ambulance Service s Hazardous Area Response Team cross country, who treated the casualty, before returning to our base after midnight. Police were being inundated with calls for assistance and additional resources were required. On Monday, we joined forces with RAF and Police Mountain Rescue personnel and were tasked with delivering food and medical supplies to houses in rural locations above Glenarm, utilising our stretchers as sledges to haul food parcels. These tasks continued on Tuesday and we were working primarily with the Red Cross in North Antrim. Thirty nine casualties and hundreds of families were assisted during this five day period, and our recently purchased snow shoes proved to be essential in these conditions. Although requests to assist in the snow abated, we continued to serve our communities with a further two callouts in the subsequent three days. Thirty nine casualties and hundreds of families were assisted during this five day period, and our recently purchased snow shoes proved to be essential in these conditions. 17
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Snowbound Tourist bus passenger rescue by Archie Ralston In March 2013, 16 members of Carluke Rotary Club set off by coach on what they hoped would be the adventure of a lifetime to the north coast of Antrim. Their spring break turned into quite an adventure; but not exactly in the way they had planned. The story is taken up by Archie Ralston, President of the Rotary Club of Carluke. Our coach party of 16 Rotarians (average age 68 years) were also accompanied by other foreign tourists. The journey started off in Belfast City in weather that could at best be described as abysmal with snow lying on the pavements and roads, and a driving sleety snow shower in place, however by the time we reached Ballypatrick Forest around 1.30pm the weather had intensified and turned into a full blizzard with drifting snow and white-out conditions. We were now stranded! When the members of the nwmrt arrived they displayed tremendous organisational skills and quickly identified the most vulnerable persons on the coach and in a calming manner assured everyone on board that a disciplined and organised rescue would commence immediately. The actions of the nwmrt members gave great assurance to everyone on the coach and as some of our members were in their seventies and on medication however the professionalism of the nwmrt helped calm and settle their worries. From the minute the nwmrt arrived on the scene everyone felt immediately safe even though it was still blowing a blizzard outside and the cheery personalities of the nwmrt brought a ray of sunshine into our cold, damp and miserable coach, (the only ray of sunshine seen that day!) Without the intervention and assistance of nwmrt I dread to think what may have happened if our members had to endure a longer stay on the coach at their age. As Rotarians we are well aware of volunteering and of all that entails, however seldom have I seen our Rotary motto of, Service above Self, be more selflessly carried out. Call Log 13.30 Tourist bus becomes stranded in snow drifts. 15.30 PSNI reports that a coach full of Scottish tourists is stranded in snow at Watertop Farm near Ballypatrick Forest 16.15 nwmrt and Mobile 2 alerted 16.20 Mobile 2 departs Torr Head from previous call out. 17.30 Casualties located 21.00 All casualties rescued from coach 21.30 Stand down 23.00 Mobile 2 return to base 19
Slemish Challenge The Slemish Challenge is a community event to raise the profile and funds for the north west mountain rescue team. The inaugural challenge was held on 14 September 2013 offering runners and cyclists of mixed abilities a variety of distances up to 17.2 miles. The full distance was a challenging route from the Ecos Centre, Ballymena to Slemish Mountain and return. Thanks to good weather, the support from the Ballymena Runners and to our sponsors, Glens of Antrim Potatoes the event was a huge success. Join us in 2014 for an improved Slemish Challenge, offering a variety of routes - help to raise essential funds to support the work of north west mountain rescue team. More photos on www.facebook.com/nwmrt 20
Belfast Hills Walk Saturday 17 May 2014 The nwmrt is organising a fund-raising walk along the Belfast Hills to raise much needed funds for life saving equipment. This excellent hike is along a marshalled route taking in Black Hill, Black Mountain and Divis Mountain which provide the backdrop to the city s skyline. You will enjoy spectacular views across Northern Ireland, Belfast Lough, Lough Neagh and as far as Donegal and the coasts of England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The route will be marshalled by the nwmrt. There is also an option for guided walks for those who wish to be accompanied during the walk. More information: www.nwmrt.org 21
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Animal Rescue by Catherine Scott - member nwmrt The north west mountain rescue team not only responds to people in need of rescue, but also to the rescue of much loved four-legged friends. We receive calls from locals and/ or farmers reporting animals which have succumbed to their environment; finding themselves stranded in remote and often steep terrain. In 2013, the team responded to sheep rescues on the cliffs above Magilligan and also on the cliffs at Glenariff. The nature of the ground requires the team to use technical climbing gear; a team member is lowered onto the ledge to encourage the woolly animal to make its own way to safety. Techniques may also include a bucket of nuts as encouragement or, if all else fails, a makeshift harness and a brave team member who bundles the nervous sheep into the harness for a quick haul to the top of the cliff. The Glenariff rescue mission began on 9th October, only coming to an end seven days later. A stranded sheep was encouraged to retreat down the cliff by a team member, only to come to rest on a second ledge, spend seven days eating every blade of grass within reach, before hesitantly making its own way down the sheer cliff face to rejoin the flock. Lesson learned perhaps, this sheep might refrain from further adventures on the cliffs of Glenariff Glen. All in a days work for the team. Happy endings all round for farmers, sheep and mountain rescue volunteers alike. 23
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Safety In the Mountains Planning & Preparation Tell someone where you are going and leave a route Check weather forecast Consider equipment and your capabilities Pack food and water Learn first aid Night encroaches early in Winter Charge your phone battery Equipment & Clothing Spare clothing including hat and gloves (it s colder and windier on the top) Warm, colourful and waterproof clothing Whistle, torch, spare batteries and bulbs A map and compass and know how to use them Boots that support ankles and have a good tread Climbers and bikers are urged to wear a helmet Dangers that can be avoided Gullies, gorges and stream beds Unstable ground (boulders and scree) Exceeding your experience and abilities Loss of concentration, especially toward the end of a day Swollen streams Very steep grass slopes, especially if frozen or wet Precipices or cliffs Snow cornices on ridges or gully tops Slopes of ice or steep snow Dangers that must be monitored Passage of Time allow extra time in winter conditions Exhaustion (know the signs; eat, rest and keep warm) Weather conditions Injuries evacuate and seek medical assistance Ability of team members Excessive cold or heat (dress appropriately) Ice (carry an axe and crampons) Accident or illness - if you send for help, make sure you stay put and the rescuers know exactly where to come More info at www.nidirect.gov.uk/the-countryside-code The Countryside Code The Countryside Code gives advice on how to enjoy your visit to the countryside while at the same time helping to protect it. Respect the people who live and work in the countryside Know where you are allowed to go Keep to paths across farmland Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls Leave gates as you find them Do not interfere with livestock, machinery and crops Keep dogs under control Protect wildlife plants and trees Keep all water sources clean Take your litter home Guard against all risk of fire Make no unnecessary noise Respect other recreational users Take special care on country roads Consider your personal safety 25
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In an emergency Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue. Be ready to give details of your location, number of casualties, any injuries and your telephone number. How to contact us Telephone: 07803 201647 Email: secretary@nwmrt.org Postal address north west mountain rescue team 24 Glassmullan Road Glenariff Co Antrim BT44 0QZ How you can help nwmrt Make a donation online or at a street collection. Organise a fund-raising event. Participate in a fund-raising event. Sponsor the team through services or equipment. How to donate Website: www.nwmrt.org Email: fundraising@nwmrt.org Cheque: Payable to north west mountain rescue team JustGiving: http://www. justgiving.com/nwmrt nwmrt supporter Not everyone can devote the time to be a team member, so why not become a supporter instead and assist in fundraising, courses, act as a casualty, hold a committee position, promote safety or maintain equipment. We particularly seek personnel with skills in fund-raising, marketing and finance. To become a nwmrt supporter, please go to www.nwmrt.org for further details. How to keep up to date with nwmrt www.nwmrt.org www.facebook.com/nwmrt twitter.com/northwestmrt Printied at Ecclesville Printing Services, Fintona. Co Tyrone