Rescue volunteers help make former hiker's wish come true

The selfless heroes usually help people in peril when no one else can reach them but they turned "fairy godmother" to grant wheelchair-bound Joan Hutchinson's wish.

Once a keen walker, the 67-year-old thought she would never again see her favourite view from Stoodley Pike, above Todmorden

But assistant leader of Calder Valley search and rescue team, Wayne Ogden, rallied 40 willing volunteers, who all gave up their Saturday to carry her 1.5km up the peak.

The challenging feat was all in a day's work for the team. Mr Ogden said: "It's our bread and butter stuff, just instead of carrying her down, we're carrying her up. It's a little bit different – and how can you say no to a request like that?"

Mrs Hutchinson was driven part-way in a Land Rover, then carried 1.5km on a stretcher to the monument.

The team then used rigging to hoist her up 40ft onto the balcony to enjoy the sunny outlook on what was one of the warmest days of the year so far.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "It's absolutely gorgeous. I used to walk around there before and I can't do it anymore. I haven't been able to go up for about five years, and it's about eight or nine years since I've been up last.

"I made a wish and they have made it come true. They are marvellous, and all very nice people as well."

Mrs Hutchinson made her wish through Seize The Day, a project by Methodist Homes for the Aged, which runs the flats where she lives in Bradford.

Co-ordinator Pat Wood said: "It's to give residents the opportunity to do something they've always wanted to do, but because of age or illness it's quite impossible.

"We are so grateful for the support that we've had."