Rescue dog Toggle is leaving the hill.
Search and Rescue dog Toggle is on the scent of an easier life.
Handler Tim Wood and his 11-year-old partner have been a team since she was a pup.
But now it’s time to hang up her harness and take her off working duties covering miles of moorland and high ground in all conditions.
The pair completed the arduous “grading” qualification for Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) membership several years ago - enabling them to search for missing people across the UK and abroad.
Tim, 42, a member of Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, made the decision to retire Toggle at Easter.
He said: “We were working with SARDA in a search in the Lakes and there was a younger dog involved as well. Despite Toggle’s experience it was clear she wasn’t working with the speed and enthusiasm of the younger dog.
“The decision was made on her physical ability to run on a protracted search which could be a matter of life or death.”
Toggle’s arrival in Tim’s life came in the wake of the harrowing demise of his earlier working partner, Zip, a border collie Labrador cross. She became ill after a grass seed penetrated her chest wall. The training for the SARDA qualification can take a decade, but he said: “Because I had already done it with Zip it was a lot easier.”
Tim said rescue dogs “are not fazed by the dark or foul weather” and are regarded as capable of doing the work of 30 people.”
But for Tim, a planning officer with Hambleton District Council, the best result is when a search is called off and the subject found safe and well somewhere else.
Tim, married to Elaine with a three-year-old son, Adam, and twins Helen and Josh, was delighted when Toggle was given life membership of the team.
He says he may be back with another dog in future - but for now family life takes priority.
POLICE chiefs have hailed the tireless work done by search and rescue teams in coming to the aid of the lost and injured.
North Yorkshire Police is believed to have become the first in the country to recognise the volunteers’ hard work in all weathers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At an award ceremony, Cleveland Search and Rescue Team was among five such charities in the area to receive an award of £3,000 each and a certificate to recognise the value the force places on their efforts.
And the Cleveland team’s Gari Finch - a member for 37 years, including almost 19 years as its call-out officer - was one of a total of five people, one from each team, to receive a personal recognition for outstanding work.
The married father-of-one, who lives in Great Ayton, said his work was a “double act” with his wife of 41 years Sandy, who helps with calls and praised his colleagues.
Mr Finch, 63, a retired teacher who now works part time at Stokesley Taxis, said: “I always feel uneasy with personal awards. If it wasn’t for the team I couldn’t do the job. It is very gratifying, humbling and nice to know that our efforts are appreciated.”
PC Jon Rushton of the force’s Tactical Planning Unit who arranged the awards, said: “We wanted a way of showing our gratitude to the members of these teams.
“We regularly call on them for assistance with various incidents across the county, their dedication and professionalism is unending and greatly appreciated. We hope the awards go some way to convey our acknowledgement and thanks for their support.”
At the event in Solberge Hall, near Northallerton, Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell - a former district commander of Cleveland Police - added: “It is an honour to present the awards and to show our thanks for the teams’ work.
“The members are all volunteers who turn out to assist us at any time of the day or night, in all kinds of conditions and this is one way of showing our appreciation for their work.”
Other teams honoured included the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
The cash came from the force’s disposal of property fund - from the sale of unclaimed property recovered from burglaries or seized as a result of criminal investigations.
Adele Pennington this morning (23 May 2008) climbed to the summit of Mount Everest a fantastic achievement deserving congratulations from all the team members and friends.
Adele left our team; the area and her teaching job a few years ago to pursue her climbing career, now working for Jagged Globe who run, organise and guide climbers on expeditions to the world’s highest peaks. The route followed the south col which was the route taken by Hillary and Tenzing on 29 May 1953. Although more and more people are getting to the top of Everest it is still an exclusive club and extremely difficult with a vast wealth of mountaineering experience still required.
Cleveland Search & Rescue team has launched a new online fundraising webshop.
We are asking all our supporters to shop online via our webshop and help raise money for us at no extra cost to yourself.
Over 100 retailers are accessible through the webshop, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Waterstones. Many retailers provide exclusive offers to the webshop, such as discounts or offering free delivery to the customer, providing more reasons for supporters to buy products through the webshop.
The webshop is straightforward to use and no technical knowledge is required. Shopping via this portal will raise funds with help from retailers such as Tesco who offer £5 for every new customer who makes a groceries transaction.
The webshop facility is such a simple but effective idea. We receive a commission on each purchase you make. Donating to our organisation couldn’t be easier!
Try it out now by searching for somthing using the box below or have a browse here.
A fallen hill walker, lost child or crashed mountain biker all require assistance and care, as well as evacuation to a place of safety. In the remote, hilly or mountainous areas of Cleveland and North Yorkshire that vital service is provide by Cleveland Search and Rescue Team who provide a professional and rapid response at any time of day or year- whatever the weather!
The mountainous and rural areas, which lie on our doorstep, provide enjoyment to many thousands of visitors annually but their use inevitably carries some element of risk. The 50 unpaid volunteers of our Team train weekly, using the very best equipment and practicing the most up to date skills, to maintain an impressive ability to respond to the demands placed upon us as we work alongside the Police, Ambulance, Royal Air Force and other Emergency Services and Mountain Rescue Teams.
As Team Leader I hope that you enjoy finding out more about our Team through our website. I am very proud of the contribution made by our members- both those on call 24 hours a day and who those who support our work- we would be delighted if you could support our work to, perhaps by entering one of our events or making a donation to cover the costs of our work.
Carl Faulkner
Team Leader
CSRT