Kevin Camplin, former team leader of Bowland Pennine MRT. Photo: Bowland Pennine MRT

The former team leader of a Lancashire volunteer rescue team has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Kevin Camplin was appointed an MBE for his services to mountain rescue in the county.

He was team leader of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team from 2014 to 2023, having joined in 2002. He was the team’s training officer for two years, and deputy team leader for three years. Since he stepped down as team leader, he has acted as the Mid Pennine Search and Rescue Organisation operational lead.

Mr Camplin said: “It is an unexpected honour to be awarded an MBE. It is as member of a team, alongside others, that provides all the support and delivery that means we can carry out our search and rescue activities within our communities.”

Among incidents he has been involved in were the Morecambe Bay cockle-pickers tragedy in 2004, the fatal Grayrigg train crash in 2007, and major floods in 2015. He was also an active member of the team searching for Katie Kenyon, who was murdered in Gisburn Forest in 2022.

The current team leader, Rob Guilder, said: “On behalf of myself and the rest of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, I would like to congratulate Kev on being awarded this honour.

“Membership of a mountain rescue team is entirely voluntary, and it is no small undertaking to give the commitment needed as a team member and as a team leader for so long. Well done, Kev.”