Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team operates 24 hours per day every day of the year. The team responds to requests by the police to a range of incidents, from injured or lost people in the hills to vulnerable missing people in urban settings. The rescue team consists of about 50 volunteers, all on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All our volunteers have full time jobs and meet almost all their own expenses. The team will typically respond to between 40 and 50 requests for help every year. Team vehicles, rescue kit, medical supplies and operational running costs are in excess of £40,000 per year so we rely on donations from the public to allow us to continue providing this free public emergency service.

As part of my preparation for this challenge, I will be attempting to cycle 350km between now and the challenge in June, both as a way to raise money and a way to build my fitness for the challenge.