Galloway Mountain Rescue Team’s longest serving, and founder member, Ken McCubbin from Newton Stewart, has been nationally recognised at the biannual UK and Ireland Mountain Rescue Gathering 2014 in Aviemore.
Along with two others, he was presented with his Distinguished Service Award by Simon Steer, the Chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, at a dinner reception in the presence of around 300 delegates from the United Kingdom, Ireland and overseas.
Ken was a founder member of the formerly known Galloway Hill Search and Rescue Group, which became operational in 1975 and was immediately appointed Depute Team Leader. He held this position until 1985 when he was appointed Team Leader; the post he held until 1993. This tenure, which included the transitional change when the team was renamed Galloway Mountain Rescue, clocked up an incredible 18 years in the leadership role! He later took on the role of Chairman from 1997 until 2000 and has been a search manager and committee member for the entire 39 years existence of the team. He is currently our Radio Officer, a role which is considerably more technologically advanced than it was in 1975!
Ken’s dedication to mountaineering and other outdoor activities, the encouragement of young people to remain fit and healthy, and his stalwart involvement in the Newton Stewart Walking Festival, are further examples of his notable achievements which have benefitted and encouraged many from Galloway and beyond our borders.
Mike McCann, Team Leader said, “Like many MRT personnel Ken shies away from publicity but there comes a time when endeavours such as his should be recognised and it was a pleasure to put him forward for this award presented by his peers.”
Ken’s ongoing role as mentor and advisor to every team member is testimony to his popularity and strength of character. He’s as active now as he was 39 years ago when he attended the team’s very first call-out, and he remains to this day one of the most frequent attendees of search and rescue incidents across Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire; and when requested in other areas of the country.
Thirty nine years on call 24/7, 365 days of the year, holding executive and leading roles in the team for the duration, most certainly merits this award. We are proud to call him a member of Galloway Mountain Rescue, but more significantly, we are all honoured to regard him as our friend.
Full details of the activities of Galloway Mountain Rescue, including the team history, can be found at www.galloway.org.uk and the team have a social media presence at www.facebook.com/gallowaymrt and www.flickr.com/gallowaymrt
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