Gwent workers go extra mile in the snow (From South Wales Argus)

Gwent workers go extra mile in the snow

11:20am Thursday 31st December 2009

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DEDICATED Gwent public service workers haven't let the snow stop their work during the past few days with one Torfaen carer trudging through six inch deep snow for half an hour in order to visit a patient.

Personal support worker for Torfaen Council's dementia team, Caroline Baldwin, 56, of Abersychan, braved her way through the bad weather on Tuesday to ensure 88-year-old Agnes Barr, of Talywain, had taken her medication and was comfortable.

Do you know of any local heroes who have helped others in the snow? Contact newsdesk on 01633 777226

Do you know of any local heroes who have helped others in the snow? Contact newsdesk on 01633 777226

Do you know of any local heroes who have helped others in the snow? Contact newsdesk on 01633 777226

Do you know of any local heroes who have helped others in the snow? Contact newsdesk on 01633 777226

Other carers were covering Ms Baldwin's usual calls in Pontypool, but no-one was able to get out to Ms Barr's home by car due to the snow, so Ms Baldwin walking just over a mile through the snow in order to provide the care.

Ms Baldwin, who has worked for the dementia team for eight years, said: "I set off just after 3pm and what usually takes two minutes in the car took half an hour to walk.

It was a trial but we work as a team and if we can get out we do it."

Ms Barr said: "I didn't expect anyone to turn up. I was very grateful."

Elsewhere in Gwent, other public services continued thanks to the commitment of staff.

Newport Hackney Drivers’ Association chairman Lionel Morris said taxi drivers braved the adverse weather in their determination to provide a service. Mr Morris helped an elderly passenger along her street, which was too icy to drive along, to ensure she got home safely.

He said passengers were also willing to pay up to three times the usual amount for journeys during the snow on Tuesday, but drivers would not accept extra money.

Meanwhile St David’s Foundation hospice at home nurse, Melanie Jones walked a mile along snowy and icy streets in Newport on Tuesday to provide night care for a terminally ill patient.

Ms Jones, who has worked for the charity for 12 years, said it was unsafe to use her car, but volunteered to work within walking distance to cover for colleagues who couldn't get to work Elsewhere home carers in Monmouthshire and the Meals on Wheels service in Newport used 4x4 vehicles designed to cope with severe weather conditions to get to elderly and disabled people living in cut off areas.

Staff at Blaenau Gwent's Meals on Wheels worked extra hours to ensure meals were delivered. The service only had to cancel their deliveries on Tuesday due to the weather.

The snow was also causing chaos between Cwmavon and Blaenavon yesterday after a car was found abandoned under a fallen tree on Cwmavon Road blocking the road.

The road remained closed all day after Torfaen council was concerned that snow on the trees could cause more trees to fall. Police were tracing the owner of the vehicle.

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