Hail to the heroes who braved cold to help vulnerable
POLICE, firefighters, NHS workers, posties and rescue teams all refused to let the awful weather beat them last Thursday - and Greater Manchester owes them a debt.
Many went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure some of the region’s most vulnerable people were warm, cared for and fed.
Nurses battling their way through Saddleworth to some of the most remote farms and homes to offer treatment, police trekking through the snow to deliver milk, and the mountain rescuers giving up their own time to save stranded lorry drivers. Here are just some of the amazing acts of duty and kindness during the big freeze. ●●THE PCSO who rang round vulnerable neighbours to check they were okay and see if they needed anything...
PCSO Phil Jones, who covers Ashton Hurst, in Tameside, was praised by colleagues for his efforts yesterday.
A photo shared on social media showed him up to his thighs in snow as he went to deliver milk to two elderly women who lived alone and couldn’t make it to the shops because of the weather. PC Steve Naylor said his colleague went the ‘extra mile’ to make sure the people in his area were okay and provided for.
He said: “He made phone calls to the individuals, the majority of which are elderly or struggle with mobility at the beat of time, checking if there was anything they needed, which they wouldn’t be able to get due to the heavy downfall of snow. He ended up taking milk up to two elderly females who live alone and were unable to get out to the local shops.”
Officers were also out and about in Rochdale checking up on elderly and vulnerable residents, making sure they were okay and picking up supplies.
The team in Middleton told how they had visited one 72-year-old and taken him two bags of shopping, donated by the Lighthouse Project charity.
GMP Rochdale also posted on its Facebook page: “Officers from the town centre, Milkstone and Deeplish area team are out on foot patrol today. Visiting the elderly and vulnerable, ensuring that they have essential provisions and helping those isolated in homes.” their ●●TWO nurses who used 4x4s to visit housebound patients in need of treatment...
Nina Brookes and Carol Carr fought their way through the snow in Saddleworth to visit one of their patients who needed home treatment.
The pair are part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Oldham Community IV Therapy Service and, with help from the North West 4x4 Response, were able to reach housebound patients to provide antibiotics and essential medicines.
Colleague Vicki Elcock tweeted: “Outstanding amazing commitment from our community Urgent Care teams today. I am so proud of all of them.”
In nearby Lees, Amy Barrett from the Leesbrook District Nursing Team – also part of Pennine Care – teamed up with Andy Hunt, from North West 4x4 Response to make sure patients still got the support they needed, as did the Bury North Township district nurses Melanie Cooper, Nicola Stephenson, Stephanie Grant and Karen Oldham.
HMR Rochdale community healthcare teams, based at the Rochdale Infirmary, also completed more than 330 home visits yesterday – most of them on foot.
A spokesman for Pennine Acute NHS Trust said: “Phenomenal commitment and professionalism by our community staff, including district community nurses and integrated health social care staff.” and ●●THE postal workers who kept on going through the terrible conditions...
Two posties were snapped braving the snow and ice, pushing crates of