A volunteer mountain rescue team member has been recognised at national level for helping save lives through her roping skills.

Heather Smyly attended a Women of the Year Lunch and Awards 2026 on Friday, October 9 in Manchester, a celebration of women making a difference across the UK and beyond.

Heather said she was ‘humbled’ to receive the award after a nomination by her volunteer colleagues of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock.

She said: “I could not believe it when I got the letter congratulating me on being a Woman of the Year. I thought, really? and why me? I don’t do anything special. It’s all a big team effort. But I am truly humbled. It’s an honour, especially in the company of the people who’ve been there before me and really deserve it.”

Each year, around 400 remarkable women from all walks of life are handpicked for their achievements and contributions. Led by Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, as president, Women of the Year is a non-profit organisation, led by volunteers, recognising, celebrating and advancing the achievements of women across the UK and globally.

Heather has been recognised by her fellow rescuers for playing numerous specialist roles, culminating in becoming ropes team leader. The ropes are essential on emergency operations when people get into trouble on steep terrain and in fast-flowing water.

She has also just completed a ropes rescue operator instructor course for women, helping widen access to women in technical rescue skills.

The team committee nominated Heather for the award.

Rhodri Davey, a team leader, said: “We are so incredibly proud of our team member, Heather, who has been invited to this year's Women of the Year Lunch and Awards 2026, which is a celebration of women making a difference across the UK and beyond.”

“Heather is our current ropes lead in the team, and has recently undertaken the Breaking Boundaries: Women in Technical Rope Rescue course. She is an inspiration to team members, and we are so proud that she has been nominated for this award.”

On steep slopes casualties secured to stretchers are pulled up with ropes while being carried by rescuers. This adds additional security for the casualty and rescuers on challenging terrain.

Recent rescues have included a boy falling while climbing on Leather Tor. The tensioned ropes were used to help carry him safely over the scattered large rocks at the base of the tor, to an ambulance.

Ropes are an integral part of swift water rescue, throwing lines and also use full rope setups similar to the land-rope rescues. Tethered swimming allows a rescuer to swim in turbulent water with a rope attached to their lifejackets, so they can be pulled to safety if they get into difficulty or once they have reached a casualty.

In a recent rescue ropes were used to help a man who fell from a tree into the river at Lydford Gorge, injuring his ankle. He needed to be carried up the steep river valley with the extra safety precaution of the ropes.