Volunteers are wheel deal
A team of volunteer four-wheel-drive vehicle owners have dealt with 100 emergency calls across the county in the past week.
The members of Leicestershire and Rutland 4x4 Response have pulled vehicles out of ditches, delivered meals on wheels and ferried nurses and ambulance crews to work since last Friday.
The volunteers are contacted by East Midlands Ambulance Service when it needs extra help due to wintry weather.
And they can't wait to get out and do their bit.
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Vice-chairman of the group, Wayne O'Shea, a former lorry driver, said: "I know it sounds strange but I love it when it snows. We just can't wait to get out into the wilds and give assistance who need it.
"We have been on call around the clock since Friday."
The team was formed three years ago by long-distance lorry driver Simon Dale, from Loughborough, who felt he wanted to do something to help.
They have proved their worth and numbers have grown.
Wayne, 43, who lives in Loughborough, said: "We now have 49 members.
"Most of us have Land Rover Discoveries. Each volunteer has different capabilities. Some have winches which can be used to recover vehicles."
Since Friday, Wayne has had just one night of proper sleep.
He said: "We have a dedicated line from EMAS and they contact us if needed.
"When we get the call, no matter the time, off we go. That has meant we have been able to pick up ambulance staff and nurses and take them to and from work if they live in areas which are difficult to get to."
He said members had delivered meals to residents living in isolated areas in North West Leicestershire and in the Vale of Belvoir.
He said: "We are not a recovery service but members returning from other duties have come across vehicles in ditches and pulled them out."
The British Red Cross and St John Ambulance has also provided extra ambulance crews and vehicles during the bad weather.
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