A responder was on hand to support the Cancer Research Race for Life event in Folkestone. He assisted with setting up equipment around the site, collecting it at the end of the event, and transporting event managers between various locations throughout the morning.

Another three responders were at The Wright Event to gain the British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) qualification this weekend. This is the fourth weekend the training has been held. We would like to thank Paul, our Vice Chairman, who is a BORDA BST for giving his time to run the course and The Wright Event, one of our major sponsors, for use of their facilities at Ashtree Farm. South East 4x4 Response is kindly funding the training for members who wish to become BORDA assessed.

Eight responders attended an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course this weekend. Having completed the six hour course, they stayed on for a further two hours to gain the Forestry First Aid qualification alongside the EFAW award. An intensive day, full of necessary information for emergency situations with practical applications of skills being learnt. We would like to thank our Training Officer, Giles, who is fully qualified to deliver both courses for us, who delivered a very engaging day. Please note that all our optional courses are open to all our volunteers throughout the year.

At 05:20 this morning, South East 4x4 Response Control received a call from Kent Police to assist with moving a somersaulted vehicle from a farmer's crop field following an RTA in the Barming area. Two responders were deployed to the scene to assist first with rolling the vehicle from it's side to the right way up. The vehicle was then winched through the crop following the path of the collision to a point where traction assistance from an alternative 4x4 took over to move it along a farm track to a hard standing area at the entrance of the field. From there the recovery team were able to load the vehicle onto their recovery truck. Our responders headed to work at 08:15. An interesting start to the week!

Recently we had to quickly lift and move our cabin and container from their position to enable resurfacing work to take place. We would like to thank Jacksons Fencing for the loan and use of two large trailers for storing the cabin and container during the 7 weeks of removal.
We would also like to thank Swain Heavy Haulage, Strood, for lifting both back into position with a Scania lorry equipped with a 14 tonne crane. Our Events and Response trailers will be returning to the site too.

One of our responders came across a stranded motorist on the M2 who had run out of fuel. Unfortunately, the motorist didn't quite get his vehicle completely off the carriageway onto the hard shoulder. With our responder in a fend off position, a Highways Agency vehicle, which had now arrived on the scene, towed the vehicle fully onto the hard shoulder with our responder talking the motorist through what was needed re. towing and steering. While the Highways Agency vehicle moved onto another call, our responder remained with the stranded motorist until the AA arrived to assist with the recovery.

Our volunteers left the M20 services at Maidstone to travel in convoy to the Dover Transport Museum for a social visit and to display their vehicles for a couple of hours for the general public to view. After a lengthy visit, coffee, cake, and social chat, the group set off for the second venue in Thanet. An amazing lunch was served for all at The Spitfire Museum's café. Our thanks go to the café staff for such a wonderful treat. A visit to the interesting Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum followed. A lovely social day out for all involved - we're looking forward to our next safari.

South East 4x4 Response volunteers were called to help a bearded elderly gentlemen who was stranded in his delivery vehicle in a snowy, forested area. Our members helped push his sleigh out of the snow as his reindeer were exhausted. Hopefully all parcels were delivered on time. Merry Christmas to all our followers!

South East 4x4 Responders were out supporting Kent Search and Rescue's Kent Charity Trek, manning marshal points and providing support at White Horse Wood. Kent Search and Rescue, a charity we work closely with, created the event for other Kent-based charities, to help as many people as possible in our local community. Walkers had the challenge of a 25 Km or a 55Km walk from Chatham Dockyard to Eastwell Manor for those walking the whole distance. One young man found the going particularly difficult owing to knee issues. One of our responders provided a chair for him to rest his weary legs and arranged a lift back to the start for him. All funds raised from this event will go directly to local charities in Kent.

South East 4x4 Response volunteers were called to help a bearded elderly gentlemen who was stranded in his delivery vehicle in a snowy, forested area. Our members helped push his sleigh out of the snow as his reindeer were exhausted. Hopefully all parcels were delivered on time. Merry Christmas to all our followers!