Geoff Seddon’s most recent rescue mission was just two months before he sadly passed awayGeoff received multiple medals from the royal family for his efforts(Image: Bolton Mountain Rescue Team)

A Greater Manchester mountain rescue hero has sadly passed away after a ‘short but brutal battle with cancer’. Geoff Seddon was a member of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team for more than 56 years and was involved in thousands of search and rescue incidents – including finding a missing six-year-old boy.

The 75-year-old joined the mountain rescue team when he was 19 and spent over half a century helping people as a member of the organisation. Bolton MRT have shared how devastated they are following the passing of a ‘hero and legend to family, friends and everyone in Bolton MRT’. The team say he ‘will be deeply missed by all who knew him.’

Geoff first joined the team when he was just 19(Image: Bolton Mountain Rescue Team)

In a touching tribute, Bolton MRT said: “The team is devastated to announce the death of Geoff Seddon, following a short but brutal battle with cancer. Geoff was a stalwart of Bolton MRT and contributor to mountain rescue regionally and nationally for more than 56 years. Geoff joined Bolton MRT very shortly after it was formed in 1969, aged 19. He served continuously as an operational member until his death last week, aged 75.”

Geoff Seddon has been described as a hero by the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team(Image: Bolton Mountain Rescue Team)

Geoff served as the Team Leader for Bolton MRT from September 1973 until March 1981 and was also Chairman of the Mid-Pennine Mountain Accident Panel, now known as the Mid-Pennine Search and Rescue Organisation. From 1992 to 2014 he served as Deputy Team Leader of Bolton MRT, before standing down and immediately being appointed a Life Vice-President of Bolton MRT.

Geoff was involved in thousands of searches over the course of 56 years(Image: Bolton Mountain Rescue Team)

Bolton MRT added that throughout his years at the rescue team, he had time for family – marrying Gill in 1974 and being father to three children, Felicity, Ted and Tom, and grandfather to Mateo and Ruby. The team also added that Geoff was an avid outdoor enthusiast, a member of Bolton Canoe Club, a Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme instructor, a member of staff for Bolton Council’s Youth Service instructing the young people of Bolton in outdoor activities, and more recently working with other independent providers of youth outdoor education.

It said: “Geoff had been involved in Mountain Rescue, specifically Bolton MRT, for such a long time. Geoff attended his first large incident in 1973, where he joined around 350 mountain rescue volunteers in the search for a missing pharmacist in the Ogwen Valley, North Wales. His most memorable search came in April 1991, when he found a 6-year-old boy who had been missing overnight in the Trough of Bowland.

“After being involved in thousands of search and rescue incidents, it might be assumed that he had taken a step back from front-line duties recently, but this was not the case. He was still very active, both on the hill and on water. Geoff was a qualified Rescue 3 Water Rescue Instructor; a very physically demanding role.

“He was involved in the water to the response to flooding at Stockport and Didsbury on New Year’s Day 2025, assisting in the rescue of over 500 people from flooded properties. His most recent land rescues were in October 2025 – a search for a missing 13-year-old in darkness on Holcombe Moor, and the rescue of a 15-year-old from Cox Green quarry, Egerton.

“Geoff shared his knowledge, wisdom and experience throughout mountain rescue with new and old team members alike. He was always content to use his experience to deliver training for Bolton MRT and other regional teams, always tempered with his experience and dry wit, often concluded over a roll-up or pint in the pub afterwards.

“Geoff was awarded the Horwich Civic Medal in 2003 and had been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) and the King’s Coronation Medal (2023). In 2019 he was awarded the Mountain Rescue England and Wales 50 years’ service certificate, and in 2024 was awarded the Mountain Rescue England and Wales 55 years’ service certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.

“In May 2025, in recognition of his support for Mountain Rescue, Geoff attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace with his daughter Felicity. Never assuming, always quick-witted, humorous, and of impeccable integrity, Geoff was a hero and legend to family, friends and everyone in Bolton MRT. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”