MBE for Impact’s mountain rescue hero

Date article online: 16/05/2008

A member of The Impact Partnership’s property team received an MBE from the Queen recently in recognition of his services to Bolton Mountain Rescue.

Over a career spanning thirty years, Garry Rhodes, a Chartered Landscape Architect with Impact, has been called out on more than 900 incidents and has helped to save dozens of lives. 

Mr Rhodes has been leading the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team for nearly twenty years, although admits he was first hooked back in 1969 when, as a young Scout, he joined the Bolton team on occasional exercises.

And it’s an interest that has shown little signs of diminishing: “I’ve taken part in over 1500 training exercises during my years in service,” explains Mr Rhodes. “And I’ve flown with the Royal Air Force Search & Rescue Helicopters, the Police and the Air Ambulance on numerous operational incidents. I still get a real buzz from training and working with the team.”

Recalling how he first heard the news of his award in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List, Mr Rhodes admits to being shocked – and emotional:

“The envelope gave no clue to what was inside, although I was curious that it was marked On Her Majesty’s Service and Prime Minister. When I opened it, I admit I burst into tears. It was just unbelievable!”

Together with his partner Ann, and parents Vernon and Frances, Mr Rhodes recently attended the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

“I’ve had letters of congratulation from so many people, including the Police and ambulance services as well as from members of other Mountain Rescue teams”, he says. “And I’m made up because I see this honour as public recognition of the growing importance of the work of the mountain rescue service.”