Tony Hood of the Edale team. Photo: Edale MRT

Three volunteer mountain rescuers have been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Tony Hood, Alistair Hume and Nick Owen were all appointed MBEs for service to mountain rescue.

Mr Hood has been a member of Edale MRT in the Peak District for almost 50 years, including stints as team leader and chairman.

A team spokesperson said: “He is currently our base manager ensuring that we are stocked up on tea, coffee and all the other essentials that keep team members happy.

“He had also served as an incident controller for the Peak District Mountain Rescue Organisation, co-ordinating callouts throughout the region. During this time he worked as a ranger for the Peak District National Park, much of this spent covering the popular Eastern Edges.

“Tony spent many years dealing with and co-ordinating rescues from the edges before the current system of mountain rescue response was established while working as a ranger.”

The spokesperson said he is also a supporter of Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England and has acted as a dogsbody for the organisation’s training.

“He can still be found now on a Wednesday night hiding out in Peak District waiting for the dogs to find him, no matter what the weather,” the spokesperson said. “The only wish he has ever had is that the dogs could turn up to callouts without their handlers as it is handlers that take all the looking after.”

Alistair Hume of Arran MRT also gained an MBE.

A team spokesperson said: “Ali joined the Arran team in 1976, was team leader from 1993-2005 and continues to volunteer as a team member and chair giving up his time freely whenever needed.

“Well done Ali, well deserved.”

Nick Owen

Nick Owen has been team leader of Langdale Ambleside for 12 years.

A Langdale Ambleside MRT spokesperson said “Apart from attending callouts the team leadership have to take on many additional roles in administration, governance and record keeping which go far beyond the day to day rescues.

“This includes liaising with other teams, regional meetings and national ones – a huge workload. Nick has been an example to us all.”

Mr Owen works as manager of the independent Elterwater Hostel.