Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team

The Team also help search for missing children and vulnerable adults, on and off the hills. The Team has a graded Trailing Dog Team. Dave Benson and his dog Brock passed their final assessment in 2019 and follow a long line of qualified search dogs.

The team hold qualifications in swift water rescue and can be called to search riverbanks and wade chest deep through flooded urban streets helping devastated homeowners.  On Ullswater they assist swimmers, kayakers and pleasure crafts that get into difficulty and work with H.M. Coastguard.

The Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was founded in 1964 by Dr James Ogilvie, Patterdale’s local doctor. A man of vision and action, he was an experienced climber and mountaineer and his efforts established a Team that has developed into one of the busiest in the Lake District. 

The Supporters’ Club was established by the late John Scott in 1998.

There have been 8 Team Leaders since 1964:

• Dr James Ogilvie 1964 – 1973

• Bob Gallagher 1973 -1975

• Joe Boothroyd 1975 – 1983

• Tom Fynn 1983 – 1991

• Dave Freeborn MBE 1991 – 2008

• Martin Cotterell 2008 – 2013

• Mike Blakey 2013 – 2019

• Mike Rippon 2019 – present

The Team operated from a converted barn provided by the Patterdale Hotel. This was adapted to changing needs over the years, but due to limited facilities had restricted the development of the Team and the service it offered. We are, however, very grateful to the Patterdale Hotel owners for long term support in providing the old premises at Deer Howe for so many years.

The new centre was built and opened in 1999.   It is sited in the heart of Patterdale, has facilities to provide the highest standard of on-site medical care, a dedicated quiet area for friends or family of the casualty, a control room with the latest communications technology, security for vehicles and equipment, an indoor training area and facilities to educate school groups and the general public in the ways of mountain rescue.