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.

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.

The first of our training weekends took place over two days in early March, with 4 new members undergoing full competency training along with initiation into our working practices on Day 1. They were joined by a group of existing members on the second day who were renewing their competencies. The competency training is undertaken by all responders and supporters on a bi-annual basis. Our new members on passing the weekend were congratulated and given sleeved hi-vis tabards along with car stickers and their badges. The hard working group of trainers who led the weekend sessions alongside our Training Officer received very positive feedback on sessions. Well done all!

Our responder team were on standby in the Leeds Castle car parks during the Leeds Castle Lottery Day which attracted many visitors. Following the heavy rain, the ground was rather sticky and muddy. The team were there to support drivers whose vehicles might become stuck in the muddy conditions. In the event, no help was needed, however, an event helper had an issue with the rear tyre of her Ford Kuga. A responder was at hand to check the tyre pressures on all the tyres, pumping up the rear tyre which was low, to ensure that the owner was able to have a safe journey home.