![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Becky and Iain Ashcroft have both been awarded an MBE for their services to the community as mountain rescue volunteers.
The couple, who have over 60 years of volunteering between them, met as volunteers for North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR), when Iain interviewed Becky for the role. Mountain rescue volunteering has been a huge part of their lives, and their wedding day saw them conveyed from Mold Registry Office to the reception just outside Ruthin in a mountain rescue liveried vehicle.
NEWSAR is one of nine teams under the umbrella of North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA) providing mountain rescue services across the hills and mountains of North Wales, as well as recovery from water and in caves.
“The rewards for volunteering are immeasurable – to be able to help someone in difficult circumstances, to be part of a team that returns a person back to their loved ones or gets a casualty to much needed hospital care, to see the smile and relief on the face of someone freezing cold and stuck alone for hours as we approach – all of this makes the night time calls, the darkness, wind and rain all worthwhile.”
Becky and Iain Ashcroft
It’s not the first time the husband and wife team have received recognition at the same time. In 2008, they each received a Divisional Commander’s Commendation for dedication, personal commitment and professionalism in providing assistance in locating vulnerable and missing persons from North Wales Police. However, NEWSAR believe that this may be the first time a husband and wife team within North Wales have been recognised jointly with an MBE for their services to mountain rescue.
Both Becky and Iain are honoured and humbled at being put forward. Iain says, “We feel very honoured and immensely proud that someone has recognised the contributions we have made to mountain rescue over the years and has taken the time to submit a nomination. The fact that both of us have been recognised at the same time is amazing.”
“We are also delighted that the work that North East Wales Search and Rescue does is recognised. We could not do what we do alone – there is a huge and committed team of volunteers behind and alongside us – and we know that our award is also a reflection of their dedication and professionalism.”
Iain estimates that during his 27 years as a volunteer for mountain rescue, he has undertaken close to 1000 call outs. As well as being a responder for NEWSAR, which covers Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham, and parts of Conwy and Powys, Iain is involved in supporting mountain rescue across the North Wales region and was appointed Operations Officer for North Wales Mountain Rescue Association in 2016. During his tenure he introduced a Major Incident Plan and assisted North Wales Police in establishing a Land Search and Rescue Group which brings together various blue light and voluntary agencies. Last year he was elected as Co-Chair of the group and continues to work closely with police and partners.
“We are absolutely delighted to hear about Becky and Iain’s well-deserved recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours.
They have dedicated countless hours to training, attending call outs, fund-raising, and fulfilling many other mountain rescue duties over the years. It is wonderful to see their hard work acknowledged in this way. We are incredibly proud of them and the positive impact they make in our community. We look forward to celebrating this special honour with them soon.”
NEWSAR Team Leader Chris Griffiths
You might also be interested in How kitting out Mountain Rescuers has gone from nothing to (almost) everything – an analysis of mountain rescue kit over the decades by Kev Mitchell from Ochills Mountain Rescue Team.
To read more articles like this, check out our People and Skills channel.
