WYEVALE Garden Centre raised £1,050 in three weeks for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (MRT).

Caroline Lancashire, who works at the garden centre in Wigan Road, Bolton, organised a raffle to raise funds for the MRT in recognition of their efforts towards fighting the Winter Hill fire.

The moorland blaze, which started on June 28, was quickly declared a major incident taking 20 days to be brought under control.

Fire crews from Lancashire Fire and Rescue left the site on Monday after more than five weeks of battling the blaze.

At the height of the blaze, Bolton MRT sent 46 volunteers to support the fire service, putting in over 2,100 man-hours.

The organisation helps people across Bolton but also those further afield in Wigan, Altrincham, Whitefield, Trafford, Darwen, Salford, Prestwich, Atherton.

Volunteers at Bolton MRT provide much of their own equipment and clothing, receiving no payment for their time and work.

Last week, assistant team leader Mark Scott and team member Diane Blakeley went along to draw the raffle and collect the donation.

Bolton MRT thanked everyone who donated a total of 47 prizes, saying: “We have been blown away by your generosity.”

All proceeds will go towards the cost of running the team, purchases of equipment and vehicles as well as maintenance costs.

In particular, the charity thanked Caroline who led the fundraising event.

A spokesman said: “We cannot thank you enough. Thank you and all your team so much.”

Second hand books will continue to be sold at the garden centre to raise further funds.