JOE Parsons has been a member of Grassington based Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) for several years. The owner of an outdoors events company, he has taken on the gruelling Spine Race to raise money for the organisation. Here, he describes why the organisation is so important.

I THINK I’ve worked it out. It’s pestered the back of my mind for some time now, but I think I can explain.

A question exists which has never been asked to me: Why? Why do you do it?

I’ve written a few pieces about the big rescues that I’ve been involved in as a volunteer with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) and people have thanked me for telling my story.

The truth is, it isn’t my story. It’s that of a team of people. Sometimes big, sometimes small. But a team nonetheless.

We come from all walks of life. Doctors, nurses, builders, police officers, farmers, outdoor instructors, and me.

I operate an outdoor events company in the summer and by winter I drive a lorry. It’s not romantic. I, we, are regular people. We’re completely normal. Like you.

I joined UWFRA several years ago. I was interviewed. “Why do you want to be a rescuer? Have you got any relevant skills?”

I hadn’t, on my first time around. But three years later I’d learned to cave. Horizontal, vertical, underwater, upside down. I could do it all.

Now I have skills. Now I’m a rescuer. Although I’m actually not - I’m completely normal.

I’m a normal man with a red jacket. But with a team around me and some training, specialist equipment and a will to succeed, I’m a rescuer. When that jacket goes on nothing else matters. Nothing.

I remember my first ever callout. I expect everyone does. Thruscross Reservoir, for a man with a lower leg injury.

I cannot explain in words what the adrenaline does to you when your phone/pager goes off.

You’ve heard the term “fight or flight.” We’ve all heard it. Well, for a rescuer, it’s a difficult feeling. We have to do both. It’s a fast reaction to an emergency situation. We don’t know the situation until we arrive. Flight. Speed. Time. But it’s also Fight; Whatever the situation, we aren’t running away from it, we’re running towards it. And we aren’t leaving until we deal with what we find.

Adrenaline is supposed to help you overcome fear. For me it doesn’t. Maybe I’m not normal?

I don’t think you should be scared of your fears. They are the key to unlocking potential you didn’t know you have. But we all have it.

When the pager goes off for a rescue, I’m instantly scared. The fight or flight reaction is triggered and I put on my boots, grab my gear, and set off towards the incident.

We arrive. We assess. We re-group. We re-assess. We treat. We lift. We carry. We. It’s a team. We’re a team, and no matter how perilous your situation, we will overcome. You’re safe. You’re saved. But still I’m scared. Constantly scared.

My biggest fear is that everything you just read won’t happen like that. I think everyone who attends emergencies can relate to that.

I’ll carry you until I can go no further. I’ll lift until my arms give up. I’ll go into the dark, not knowing when I’ll return. I’ll stand before you and promise safety. If I’m cold it doesn’t matter, I know you are colder. If I hurt it doesn’t matter, because you hurt more. I’m scared that my best won’t be enough.

I know the answer to the question. Why? Because I’m scared that one day you’ll need my help. I don’t know you. I don’t need to. I’m a volunteer with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

Like thousands of volunteers across the country, we look after people in peril. Above and below the ground. On the coast. At sea. We don’t get paid, we do get frightened. We’re just normal people.

* UWFRA has been rescuing people and animals from the caves, mineshafts, fells and crags of Wharfedale, Nidderdale, Littondale and Mid-Airedale for more than 70 years.

Its rescue services remain free to all who need it, day or night and are financed entirely by fundraising events and donations. Find out more at: https://www.uwfra.org.uk/