Much-needed 4x4 drivers are needed to help keep the county going in extreme winter weather
When the Beast from the East set in, they made sure hospital staff and vital supplies got to where they needed to be
Ed StilliardChief Gloucester Reporter
When the Beast from the East moved in earlier this year it led to Gloucestershire grinding to a halt.
But there was one small band of heroes who managed to make sure that hospital staff and vital supplies got to where they needed to be.
After the weather hit, one doctor was able to get to work at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital thanks to volunteers from Gloucestershire Worcestershire 4x4 Rescue (GW4X4R).
Bright headlights of a car driving on foggy winter road
During that episode at the end of February when arctic conditions gripped the country the team managed to cover more than 5,000 miles.
Now, as autumn and winter lurk just round the corner, GW4X4R are looking for more people to come forward and be ready to help in case extreme weather sets in again.
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As well as getting NHS staff to and from home to work, they also made sure that much-needed medicines and crucial paperwork was delivered.
"A perfect winter for us is one where we're not called out, everybody's safe and well and our services are not required. But we're there when the NHS or any other emergency service needs us," a spokesman for the organisation said.
He added: "In the past, we have boasted more than 60 response drivers but this number has declined recently and, at present, the team consists of about 30 response drivers and eight controllers across the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire region.
And numbers are important because, during this year's 'Beast from the East' episodes, GW4x4R volunteers covered over 5,000 miles, with more than 1,200 miles of those being driven in the Forest of Dean area by just three volunteer drivers."
What do CW4X4R drivers do?
When roads become impassable to normal vehicles, volunteers find themselves assisting in a number of ways and GW4x4R has, for example:
• supplied drivers to Child Protection Officers, allowing them to attend any specific incidents
• provided logistical preparations for major incidents
• enabled district nurses to continue making vital home visits
• undertaken welfare checks on motorists stranded on major roads during adverse weather
• ensured vital medical staff can get to work
• transported rescue workers and equipment to/from site
• provided meals-on-wheels cover during adverse weather
GW4x4R was established in 2006 by a small group of members who recognised the need for a team of volunteers using specialised vehicles with trained drivers able to respond to incidents when others couldn't.
How to join GW4x4R
To become part of the team, you must:
• own a road-legal 4x4 that is taxed, MOT'd and insured
• have held a full UK driving licence for at least three years
• have accrued fewer than six penalty points
But not everyone needs to have a 4x4 vehicle to volunteer.
Controllers can work from home and assign response drivers to specific tasks.
Visit their website or email membership@gw4x4r.co.uk for more information.
"GW4x4R team members come from all walks of life and are united by a desire to help communities – particularly their most vulnerable residents – during adverse weather," the spokesman added.
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He added that during the Beast of the East the team had 72 active jobs over a two-to-three day period meaning that drivers were working "long days, long shifts".
"We want to increase numbers so that we can offer existing members an easier time. We can't heavily rely on a small number of volunteers."