Grin n Bear It For Woodhead MRT

© Woodhead MRT

The annual Grin n Bear It fundraising event takes place on the moors above Langsett on Saturday 2nd November. There's a choice of three routes to suit all levels of ability, and entries are open now.

photo
Participants on the 2009 event
© Woodhead MRT

Grin n Bear It, which has been running for the past seven years, is the major fundraising event for Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team

'We cover the moors above Langsett in South and West Yorkshire and Derbyshire' says team secretary Phil Newing.

'We also cover urban areas and we have been involved in many searches for missing and vulnerable persons and we played a major role in rescuing stranded motorists in the snow at South Anston a few years ago.'

'Raising funds for small teams like ours is always a struggle and we very much appreciate the support we receive from members of the public. We operate to the same exceptionally  high professional standards of all teams in Mountain Rescue and our equipment costs and running costs are similar to those of larger teams.'

Grin'n'Bear It offers a choice between an 8km Family Walk, a 15km Challenge Walk and a 25km Fell Race, all sharing parts of the route in some places and all starting at Langsett Barn.

The Family Walk is described as a pleasant stroll around Langsett Reservoir and its environs, accessible to all-terrain pushchairs. Moving up a level the Challenge Walk takes in moorland paths and some difficult terrain, and participants need to be properly equipped and have good navigation skills. The Fell Race is tougher again, and involves some route finding over open moor.

There are food stations along the way and a hot mug of Yorkshire tea, cake and a home cooked meal for all participants at the end. Entries are £10 in advance or £12 on the day, and everyone that enters will receive a free car sticker to celebrate their achievement and a certificate with their time recorded.

'Members of Woodhead MRT are all volunteers with full-time jobs and family commitments' says Phil Newing. 'They give up their free time not only to search for and rescue injured or vulnerable people but also to train and to fundraise in order to maintain their readiness to help. It costs in excess of £25,000 each year to run the team, every penny of which has to be raised by the team itself.'

'Every member of the team is a member also of the communities they serve and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the public donations that enable us to continue to provide this invaluable service. We hope you will never need our services, but if you do, we will be there. Please support us by supporting our Grin 'n' Bear It.


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