WHILE some of us have been sat at home, unable to get out, a band of 4x4 drivers has been driving around the county helping other people.

Adrian Redfern of Copplestone is one of these. As a member of the Devon and Cornwall 4 x 4 Response Team, Adrian has been driving over Exmoor and elsewhere to get nurses to their work at Barnstaple Hospital and taking nurses to give essential treatment for home bound patients, plus other jobs.

Snow fell on Tuesday (January 5), Adrian was out driving from first thing the following morning, having been contacted by the group's co-ordinator around 5.30am.

"We help organisations such as the police, ambulance service, fire service, and the health authority. We are affiliated to the national organisation. Originally we were part of the Wessex 4x4 Response Team, but as membership and local activity grew, members decided to form a separate group to better serve the community and emergency services in the area," said Adrian.

They have their own training sessions and help other groups with theirs. They worked during the floods at Ottery St Mary, helped the police and motorists last February in the snow on Haldon Hill and again this year. Last March they helped police in the Crediton and Honiton areas in heavy snow.

Adrian is also a member of the Discovery Owners Club. "One of our DOC members was a member of the Wessex 4x4 Response.

"When the new group was created I decided to join so that I could give something back to the community," Adrian said. "What we do is all voluntary ." Adrian is the only member in his area, there are others at Lapford, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Exeter and spread over the rest of Devon and Cornwall.

"Last Wednesday morning (January 6) I went to Bratton Fleming, driving through 20 inches of snow to get a man to Barnstaple. I have been collecting nurses and police officers who work in Barnstaple from around western Exmoor, places such as Blackmoor Gate.

"Snow on Exmoor was quite impressive at 5.30am," he added. "The manners of my vehicle have been impeccable," Adrian said. "I have been driving on standard road tyres all this past week.

"You volunteer to do this because you want to, and because you can. We make sure we have all the extra things we might need. I even have waders and carry a two litre flask of coffee, milk, jerseys, coats, food and blankets, towing equipment.

"Three of our people had to spend a night at Truro hospital to take nurses home and bring them in again in the snow the following morning.

"For almost a week driving from home it was miles before you could see tarmac. We had around a foot of snow, it was quite amazing.

"On one of my calls there was one hill that a tractor towing a trailer failed to get up. He let me past and I just drove on up the hill," Adrian said.

As the snow began to go Adrian (and the rest of the team) were still busy. "This week (January 11) there was a nurse at Swimbridge who needed to get to Barnstaple Hospital. Snow had compacted and the narrow steep winding lane was like glass.

"I was taking care workers to and from St Lawrence Residential Home in Crediton. I went to Bideford to take NHS staff and some ready meals to a disabled 96 year old person near Winkleigh on Thursday morning (January 7) and Wednesday (January 13) I took a person from near Witheridge to South Molton Hospital for dialysis and back home again.

"Even that day the roads were not good. A and B class roads were fine but many lanes were not, although things were getting better by the hour," said Adrian.

He bought his Discovery three years ago, having had a Land Rover 90 for some time,. The Discovery was more practical. It could become a seven seater to drive all the family around, tow a big trailer and take all the bits and pieces Adrian needs for his work.

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