The third group of three responders recently completed a day's British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) Standard training at Ashtree Farm, home of our sponsor, The Wright Event. Following the recent heavy rain the off road course presented challenging conditions for drivers. We are fortunate in having, Paul, our Vice Chair, who is a BORDA BST, on our team. South East 4x4 Response is kindly funding the training for members who wish to become BORDA assessed.

The Fundraising team had a great day at the Sheppey St George's Day event with the public supporting out tombola, Spin the Wheel game and purchasing some of the St George's Day cakes made especially for the occasion. It was good to welcome so many people to our stall.

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.

We would like to thank the Sittingbourne Christmas Lights and Sleigh Round group for their generous donation of £250 towards our funds. Our members enjoy supporting the Sittingbourne Christmas Light switch-on event along with the sleigh rounds each year. It has become the highlight of a very busy year as we draw to a close our event season prior to Christmas. We are looking forward to supporting you again this year.

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 second Operational Commander Training this year saw 10 Responders, 6 of whom are also Controllers, requalify or become newly qualified Operational Commanders. The training covered roles during incidents held by the emergency services, our roles and the need to adhere to JESIP - the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme.

Recent success on the British Off Road Driving Association course saw 4 certificates awarded to the first few to achieve the award. Beginning with classroom learning about their own vehicle capabilities and limitations, before a session out on the off road course. Our thanks to our Vice Chairman for running the course and to The Wright Event, one of our main sponsors, for the use of their facilities.

Despite an overcast day, our fundraising team had a successful day at the Heritage Transport Show at Detling Showground. It was a great opportunity for the public to see some of our volunteers vehicles along with the kit we carry for different deployments.

We would like to thank Trevor at Lemon Labels for the very kind donation of 12 rolls of stickers for our Truck Pull Challenge. We will be giving them out to those brave enough to take part in our 2 tonne truck pull at certain events this year, whether they are children or adults.

South East 4x4 Response were at the Kent Voluntary Sector Emergency Group (KVSEG) Services and Capabilities Event sharing our good practice with other emergency groups, along with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF). Four of our team attended supporting the event where our Chairman, David, gave a 15 minute presentation on our offering to KVSEG. Also attending to show their offering were Kent Search and Rescue, South East Cave Rescue Organisation, SE Air Search, Raynet, British Red Cross, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Salvation Army, along with Rotary South East. There was plenty of time before, during and after to network and share common interests where groups might work together in the future.