Letters etc of thanks

[BobWessex]

Hi all I think that a few user bodies should be grateful enough to send a letter of thanks.



If so we would like to collate them all in place with the aim of creating a publicity portfolio.

[nigel leyland]

An excellent idea Bob, should we get one, I'll certainly shout about it...... :D



Nigel.

[Tony Ferrari]

Here's one we received today via Hertfordshire County Council



xxxxx.xxxxd@goldsborough-home-care.co.uk

Sent by: Karen.

06/02/2009 12:20 To Elaine

cc

Subject













Hi Elaine



we have just been driven to a very vulnerable client by a wonderful gentleman and his 4x4 can I just say that this diverted a situation where a client who is bed ridden was able to get up and showered



Could you please pass on my sincere thanks



Karen (Goldsborough homecare)



I believe the wonderful gentleman in question is Avo (HT21)

[robin-baldwin]

Sorry Bob.

No letters of thanks cos we've not be called out. We've been on standby and not been called although we have assisted several motorists who have no idea of how to drive on snow.

[Jamie_Hewison]

Robin, i know how you feel, i helped 2 cars out of a ditch this morning, off one, i got a grunt, and the other... a smile and a handshake... why cant everyone be that nice?

[robin-baldwin]

The first was a young(ish) lady in a new BMW. She was complaining that she had a Freelander for 3 years and had just got rid of it.

[BobWessex]

Can I ask that this particular board retains its purpose i.e. posting of letters/ E-mails of thanks

[Mick Ghost]

Heard a report on Radio2 News as I was driving, describing the '4x4 Volunteers' who enabled the local 'Meals on Wheels' service to continue. It was 'oop North' somewhere, but I was driving through the snow myself at the time, so wasn't listening too closely ...



Well done to whoever it was. ;)

[BobWessex]

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/n ... ear_Chard/ (http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/4107276.SNOW__MP_nearly_comes_a_cropper_near_Chard/)



http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/ ... _the_road/ (http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/4103064.Volunteers_help_keep_Wiltshire_ambulances_ on_the_road/)

[mark avo]

Could I suggest that the National Group considers appoiniting a dedicated Press & Publicity Officer. His job would be to collate all the 'good news' from the group, collate stats & callout figures & issue press releases to local & national media. Whilst it's great if individual groups get coverage, the stats would sound more impressive on a national basis.



Local radio is always desperate for local news stories, & the local tv stations may then pick up on it. Land Rover & other 4x4 mags are always desperate for 'free' well written articles with nice pictures. Even calling in to local radio talk shows may help to get the ball rolling. Yesterday BBC 3 counties radio were asking for stories about good samaritans & anyone going out of the way for their fellow man in times of adverse weather.



We have a press officer in out local land rover club who is a master of the art of getting us mentions all over the place. Maybe 4x4 Response would benefit from something similar. Any Radio 2 listeners who notice that Traffic Reporter Lynne Bowles seems to have become associated with all things greasy & Land Rover may be suprised to find that it all came about by a bit of concerted work by our press officer & a few members of the club.



Could I also suggest that we have a generic 'business card', maybe with just the logo & a suitable strap line & URL that we could hand out to anyone we assist. That way, when they get home they wont have to think ' who was that masked stranger' who helped me out? Sometimes, the aftermath of an incident is not the best time for people to do thier 'thank yous' as they are still a bit 'dazed & confused'





p.s. No, I'm not after a new job - I dont "do" people regardless of what the nice care ladies said about me. I did however mention to them that 4x4 owners are not all bad people & we do get a bit sick of the negative coverage that we always get on the media.

[BobWessex]

That hat is currentlly being worn by our treasurer Tony Ferrari - who has actually released a press release this week.



Coupled in with the call to the radio etc we need to put together a generic pack of letters of thanks/commendation. which can be used to show national coverage coupled with local thanks that should help a lot with fund raising. BTW The Justice Minister apparently knows that we assisted HMP Dartmoor staff.

[Tony Ferrari]

That hat is currentlly being worn by our treasurer Tony Ferrari - who has actually released a press release this week.



Indeed I did (see below ), as I am also Press Officer for GLASS, I already have lots of contacts.



OK so not quite the Times or the Telegraph but "Fire and Rescue Times" want to do an interview about our work this week.



3 February 2009 PR/09/01



4x4 Response keeps the Country moving



Whilst large areas of the Country have been brought to a halt by the worst snow in eighteen years, 4x4 Response groups throughout Britain have been out keeping the emergency services mobile.



Formed to offer reliable transport in adverse conditions, using experienced volunteer drivers and their well equipped 4x4 vehicles, 4x4 Response groups have been on deployment since Sunday night.



These are no “Chelsea Tractors” but vehicles owned by enthusiasts determined to show that 4x4’s do have their use and keen to contribute to their communities.



From Surrey where South East England 4x4 Response have been assisting ambulance crews get to work to North East England, where 4x4 Response North East have been ferrying out of hours GP services through the snow.



Wessex 4x4 Response have assisted both Police and Ambulance Services to deal with traffic incidents in Avon and Dorset, checking for drivers trapped in their cars and delivering medical personnel safely to housebound patients.



In Wales both Powys 4x4 Response and South Wales 4x4 Response have been deployed transporting care workers on visits to vulnerable clients.



Elsewhere groups are remaining on standby; Although hurricanes hardly ever happen in Hertfordshire, Herefordshire and Hampshire but it has certainly been snowing and groups in all three areas are ready to assist, as are others in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Gloucestershire.



Press Release ends 22.31 hours 03/02/09



Notes to Editors



4x4 Response Network is a registered charity that supports and promotes the partnership of 4x4 Response Groups throughout England and Wales. More details can be found at http://www.4x4response.info



At present seventeen groups exist throughout England and Wales covering nearly 30 Counties.



4x4 Response groups are entirely staffed by volunteers from many walks of life, some receive out of pocket expenses from the Emergency Services who deploy them but many are funded from their own pockets. 4x4 Response groups receive no Government funding.



4x4 Response groups respond to all types of emergency, being particularly active in floods in both 2007 and 2008.



4x4 Response in Scotland is delivered by C.O.T.A.G. http://www.cotag.net

[nigel leyland]

Excellent job Tony..........a good example of a well constructed press release for the rest of us to emulate.



Nigel.

[mark avo]

Sorry Tony, didnt realise you were wearing that hat as well.



Good job you're not busy with your day job when things get interesting.

[Tony Ferrari]

Good job you're not busy with your day job when things get interesting.





Actually I am!



For those that don't know, I am Head of Emergency Planning for the NHS Primary Care Trusts in Hertfordshire.



However, no one seems to have noticed this week that half my calls are "work" and half are 4x4 Response :mrgreen:



But seriously this is something we as a group need to resolve as we grow, an emulate other groups with rota systems for coordinators. I started the Hertfordshire Group because as an Emergency Planner I could see the need but didn't really think I should be doing it myself. However I knew that if I didn't start it, I could wait a long time for someone else to. Indeed it took four years for me to get round to it :D

[BobWessex]

Received today



Contact name: Joel Standing







Phone Number: 0207 xxxxxxx



message: Hello

Your team assisted in ferrying prison staff into HMP Dartmoor on the 6th February. The director general of the prison service would like to write to your team with an expression of thanks. Could you let me know who and where to address the letter to.

Many thanks

Joel

[BobWessex]

original here (http://wessex4x4response.org.uk/images/alabaster/SCCthanks.jpg)









Mr B Hatcher

**************

Yeovil

Somerset

*** ****



10th February 2009





Dear Mr Hatcher



I am writing on behalf of the residents of Somerset to thank you and your colleagues from the Wessex 4 x 4 Group for the invaluable support you have provided over recent days to the Emergency Services and elements of the County Council. The current weather, which has not been experienced for nearly two decades in the County, has tested our resources and the fortitude of our staff.



Through the Civil Contingencies unit I am fully aware of how hard you have work to ensure that support was available when and where needed. It has been a terrific response and you should be duly proud of your efforts. We rely so much on the good graces of the voluntary sector in times of crisis and need; your actions have been a fine example of dedication and professionalism.



I commend you and all your colleagues for the sterling work you have carried out across the region to provide support where needed for the benefit of those in need in Somerset.



Yours sincerely,





Alan Jones

Chief Executive





Cc: Electronic Copy to - Bob@wessex4x4response.org.uk

[MattN Wessex]

Had this on the LRA forum:



http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/



Matt, I'd like to echo that. I'm one of the Team Leaders who manage the ambulances in Bristol and your volunteers have been fantastic. We've needed you for all sorts of things, not just helping out when ambulances can't reach calls or get a bit stuck, but the less glamerous side to keeping an emergency service running, like helping staff get into work and back home again, running urgent supplies around the county or simply acting as ferries to help us get the right vehicles to the right places as we changed our cover plans to react to the situation.



As a Land Rover Addict, I was in my element, giving lifts to snow bound colleagues to get them in to the station for our shifts, swapping my ambulance for a V8-powered 110 ambulance (thanks to St John who leant us it for the duration), managing to get some enjoyment out of the treacherous driving conditions and then spending my day off reopening a lane to my sister-in-law's hamlet so that they could leave the house for the first time in five days!



Thanks gain to all...



Cheers



Blippie





I thought that just about said it all really. :D



Matt

[Pete Chambers]

Cant argue with that. I have a text saying thanks from a paramedic from salisbury if it helps ;)

[BobWessex]

Why not,



All thanks are thanks.

[Pete Chambers]

Ok, This is after said paramedic was concerned about getting in on the wednesday night shift, I had text her to say that the roads between her home and work were (at the time) ok as had just been that way, i now quote the reply,



' Yea was just bout 2 txt u. Ill b good thanks.Thanku so much 4 ur help ur an angel:-)'



Before anyone asks, I did my duties and that was all, no more, no less.

[BobWessex]

A few more letters with apologies for the size can be viewed here (http://www.wessex4x4response.org.uk/alabasterLOT.htm)

[BobWessex]

And now the papers (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/wdp/lifestyle/Ready-rescue/article-714371-detail/article.html) get involved :lol:

[Chris Lee]

Excellent write up there, well played guys 8-)

[Jim Wallace]

From Powys EPO to Mark Margettes



I just received this from the EPO at Powys:







I also wanted to say a big thank you to you and all of the volunteers for your assistance during the recent Severe Weather Event. Although a little rushed and confused at the start, the Information Management System proved a great success with Operators at the Duty Room able to task a Volunteer in literally 1/2 minutes (once they had registered).







I would be very grateful if you could pass on my sincere thanks to all Volunteers.

[BobWessex]

Excellent, good to see all teams getting recognition.

[BobWessex]

And Gloucestershire also have one of these

[robin-baldwin]

Well done lads.

[stephendrabble]

And now the papers (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/wdp/lifestyle/Ready-rescue/article-714371-detail/article.html) get involved :lol:





im sure in the summer they will start moaning about 4x4's pulling caravans again..



oh well, its good while it lasted..



‹(•¿•)›

[Darren Gloucester]

And Gloucestershire also have one of these



HI Bob...thanks, but we mustn't forget, Wessex also have one. Well done you guys :D



Gloucestershire also received a thanks from Glos PCT saying how helpful, professional and organised 4x4 response group was.



In fact well done to all that got involved in the snow, as our profile has certainly been raised.

[Tony Ferrari]

At a work event recently we (Hertfordshire 4x4 Response) got a verbal thank you from the Hertfordshire PCTs Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Involvement, who is responsible for emergency planning.



A bit embarrassing as she is my boss :oops:



But heck a thank you is still a thank you

[Tony Ferrari]

And a more formal thankyou from the Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County council

[robin-baldwin]

Good one Tony

[BobWessex]

Excellent letter

[BobWessex]

Page 10 of the Prison Service News this month



Snow strikes but Dartmoor*staff battle through

Dedicated staff and a local 4x4*association have been praised for coming to the rescue when the February snowstorms left HMP Dartmoor completely cut off. As HMPS staff across the country battled against the heavy snow falls just 15 night staff were left in Dartmoor which has an average lock-up of around 640.

The five foot snowdrifts didn’t stop two members of staff who dug themselves out of their houses and managed to hike through to the prison from neighbouring Princetown. But a JCB attempting to clear the route from the nearest major town, Tavistock, got stuck and other staff were left stranded at two rendezvous points unable to get to the prison.

The Gold Command Suite was opened – run by Area Manager Alan Scott – and contact was made with the police command team operating in the Dartmoor area.

Contingency plans kicked in and the solution came in the unlikely form of the Wessex 4x4 Response Association – a registered charity run by a group of four wheel drive enthusiasts who offer their assistance to the police in time of crisis. The group arrived at the two rendezvous points, negotiated the snow drifts to ferry staff into the prison, and remained to help them over the weekend. Alan said: “The response from staff and from the Wessex 4x4 association was amazing. The contingency plans we had in place with the local police worked well and everyone pulled together to ensure Dartmoor functioned safely on a reduced regime.”

By 12:30hrs – thanks to the Wessex 4x4 group – the prison had nearly 50 staff on site. HMP Dartmoor Governor Tony Corcoran said: “Alan Scott and the Gold Command Suite were magnificent in giving reassurance and support. The staff did marvellously and I’m really grateful to them, particularly how they explained the situation to the prisoners who were very well behaved and extremely understanding.”

[robin-baldwin]

Following Rover Rescue’s support, with St John’s Ambulance, at a sponsored walk for Glebe House School, Hunstanton in aid of Help for Heroes last weekend we have received the following letter of thanks:



“Dear Phil and Mike,

Firstly a huge thank you for providing such fabulous cover - you appeared at

every turn which was very reassuring and we were really pleased there were

only a handful of very minor cases for you. We really enjoyed working with

you and were so impresseed with your whole team's professionalism and

commitment and hope you enjoyed covering our event.



We were thrilled with the way the day went with over 350 walkers and over

£20k raised for Help for Heroes and lots of media coverage.



Could you please let us have an invoice for the quoted amounts of £103.50

and £100 to Glebe House School and send to:



FAO: Stephen Kent, Bursar, Glebe House School, 2 Cromer Road, Hunstanton,

PE36 6HW.



Kind regards and many thanks

Bo”

[Tony Ferrari]

I had forgotten about this thread so this is a bit late....

[mark avo]

The nice people from Bedfordshire even sent out personalised thank yous.[attachment=394:174_2e1077c67ef81bd15bf28d94dbdadfe a]

[robin-baldwin]

A little appreciation goes a long way!

[BobWessex]

Not sure where else to put this which is part of an E-mail from Somerset CCU



"I am not surprised that 4 x 4 has been busy - what did we do without you! My very best wishes to all of your volunteers over the Christmas period and we are grateful for all of your dedication and commitment to the public in these difficult times."

[TJ Nicolson]

PRESS RELEASE FROM WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL





VOLUNTEERS KEPT CARE WORKERS ON THE MOVE THROUGH SNOW AND ICE IN THE WOKINGHAM BOROUGH



Volunteers from the Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Group came to the aid of Wokingham Borough Council’s community care workers as they struggled to reach vulnerable adults during the recent severe weather.



The heavy snow and freezing conditions made it difficult for domiciliary care workers to reach their clients since the severe weather began and, on Wednesday December 23, the Council’s community resilience team contacted Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Group for some help. The Response Group sent two of their volunteer drivers, Matt Lincoln and Ian Andrews both from Aldershot, to help get care workers to their clients.



The response group is a team of volunteers who use their own 4x4 vehicles to help emergency services and local authorities during severe weather.



Wokingham Borough Council domiciliary care manager Sue Kelly said: “The conditions were very difficult but we always find a way to get to those vulnerable people who need our help. Our team have been coping with the very difficult conditions and the volunteers from Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 were wonderfully helpful when they came. We had been struggling to get to all the people we wanted to – people who need help with day to day things we all take for granted such as washing themselves or getting dressed – and having those guys come with their 4x4 was a godsend.”



Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Group chairman TJ Nicolson said: “Local authorities and other services cannot really afford to have 4x4 sitting around all the time just for the very rare times when they are necessary and that is why we volunteer to use our vehicles – which are often our pride and joy – to help in emergencies. Our group was set up about three months ago and ways in which we have helped include taking paramedics to emergencies when their vehicles can’t reach them and following ambulance in case they get stuck somewhere. We were delighted to help out in Wokingham Borough and will always try to be available in the future.”



-MORE-



Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Group welcomes new volunteers who are keen to put their time and vehicles to good use and anybody interest can contact them via the website at http://www.hampshire4x4response.co.uk.



Wokingham Borough Council community resilience manager Peter Stuart said: “It is great to have volunteers such as the response group to help in difficult situations and I would like to thank them for giving up their time to help some of our most vulnerable residents.”



- ENDS -



Note to editors



More from Wokingham Borough Council community resilience manager Peter Stuart on (0118) 974 6347.

[jason naylor]

excellent TJ, good publicity there.