Our team were at the Sittingbourne Carnival supporting with a road closure on the A2 to allow the carnival procession to safely take place. One of our volunteers led the procession with her 4x4, followed by a fire engine and the marching band, whilst two others towed the Sittingbourne Carnival Court and the Santa sleigh. Although out of season Santa was happy to appear on a hot day in his Christmas outfit to wave at the many families who had gathered to see the carnival procession.
Members of South East 4x4 Response joined other emergency service groups at Littlestone to support the RNLI Emergency Services Day. Our volunteers shared what we do as an emergency service along with fundraising to support our equipment needs.
Thank you to Steph and Paul from Todd & Co who have kindly donated a bundle of custom embroidered items to go towards our fundraising. Todd & Co is a family run embroidery business based in Thanet who specialise in workwear and school uniforms.
Our fundraising team were out at the weekend supporting the 2 day Tractorfest event at Biddenden. A lovely weekend had by all those attending Tractorfest and by our team who were not only fundraising but sharing the work our volunteers are involved in throughout the year. Well done to those members of our team who took part in dancing at Tractorfest for a video supporting the charity, A Touch of Joules. The video can be seen on Facebook.
Our chainsaw teams have been out honing their chainsaw skills at The Wright Event, our major sponsor, ready for the autumn and winter storm seasons. Many thanks to The Wright Event for the use of their grounds for this event.
South East 4x4 Response were at Motors by the Moat for the two day event at Leeds Castle. A lovely weekend where we were able to show case what we do as a group of volunteers along with showing some of our volunteer's 4x4 vehicles. Children were able to take turns in our 3 tiny 4x4 vehicles at the stand. Parents and children, although mostly Mums, had a go had pulling a 2 ton truck. No assistance from the driver with many very successful pulls! Well done to all the families who took part in the Truck Pull. Fun was had by all. At the close of the event each day our 4x4 vehicles led the parade of vehicles taking part.
Our team were at the Ingress Family Fun Day leading the parade which took place along with manning a stall showcasing what we do.
Responders have been out again on two weekends towing the Sittingbourne Carnival Court to both the Ramsgate Carnival and the Whitstable Carniva, where the float once again won the trophy. Well done to Sittingbourne and District Carnival and Court Association.
South East 4x4 Response were pleased to be supporting this year's Canterbury Bike Ride which had been organised by Iconic Cycling. The ride in aid of the Kent MS Therapy Centre and Canterbury Wheelchair Rugby began at the Rugby Club in Canterbury circling out into the Kent countryside depending on the route taken. The ride consisted of 3 routes: short, medium and long. Each route was supported by one of our volunteers vehicles. Support was given at the feeding stations and with taking down the numerous signs making the way of each route at the close of the day. One of our responders rescued 3 cyclists who had issues enroute, ferrying them and their bikes back to the starting point.
Members of our team were out supporting Cancer Research with their Race for Life at Mote Park, Maidstone, from Friday to Sunday, helping set out the routes for the race days, transporting equipment to various points, handing out water to runners and helping with the removal of the route "markers".
