Last updated at 13:39, Friday, 04 January 2013

The leader of Keswick Mountain Rescue Team has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

RECOGNITION: Keswick Mountain Rescue Team leader Mark Hodgson has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours

Mark Hodgson, 56, of High Hill, Keswick, received his award for services to mountain rescue.

He has been involved with the Keswick team for 40 years, with the last 19 as team leader.

He has attended a massive number of call-outs and emergencies, including the flooding in 2005 and 2009 and the Keswick School bus crash in 2010.

He said: “I am very pleased, proud and humbled to be recognised.

“I don’t think anyone who receives an award from the Queen expects it so to get an MBE is quite amazing.

“I am very proud not just for me but the whole team. We have a highly skilled team of 45 and while it is a great privilege to be elected leader this award is recognition for the team as a whole for the hard work they do.

“We have amazing, committed and dedicated team members who all give up their time and help people on the fells.”

Mr Hodgson is married to Fiona and has two children, James and Rebecca.

He works in Whitehaven as a commercial manager for international design and project management company Atkins.

He was born and raised in Keswick and joined the rescue team when he was doing his Queen’s Scout Award.

He added: “I enjoy going out walking on the fells and we are all mountaineers in the team.

“I enjoy the voluntary aspect and helping like-minded people who may have got into difficulty.

“It is very rewarding helping give them the best possible treatment. One day we might have an accident ourselves and need the services of the mountain rescue.

“My family and all the team members’ families have been a massive support to us over the years.”

Lieutenant Colonel Neil Unsworth, commander of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment 2nd battalion, which includes soldiers from Cumbria, was made a CBE, as was Stephen Henwood, chairman of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, for services to the nuclear industry and charity.

First published at 13:20, Friday, 04 January 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk