You showed true grit!

Thu 28th January 2010 2.03PM

IT may have been the worst icy blast for decades – but people across Cheshire proved that they have true grit as they battled the Arctic conditions. Tributes have been pouring in to the unsung heroes who beat the snow and ice to keep vulnerable people safe during the big freeze. Cheshire East Council has praised its social care team for going “above and beyond the call of duty” to keep the elderly and people with disabilities safe, warm and wellfed. They struggled through terrible conditions to deliver vital hot meals and home-care services. Stories continue to emerge of people going the extra mile to help others.

Members of the hospital social work team in Macclesfield worked on the wards to cover for health colleagues who could not travel into work. Staff from the council’s hot meals provider Sodexho left their vehicles behind and delivered on foot where road conditions were treacherous. Volunteer groups across the area also rose to the occasion during the prolonged cold spell and good neighbours pitched in to help. Gritting crews also worked flat out, along with the emergency services. Tytherington High School headteacher Andy Robinson was so determined to get his school back into action he brough in an independent contractor to get the snow cleared – and pitched in to help out.

His school was among the first to re-open. Meanwhile, a couple hoping to marry in East Cheshire were left devastated when their big day appeared to be threatened by snowy weather conditions. The registrar who had been booked to carry out the service had become stranded in snow in Macclesfield. But a swift call to a fellow colleague who made a mad dash to the ceremony - despite being dressed in golfing gear - saved the day. Superintendent Registrar for Cheshire East Council, Alan Clarke, read the couple their wedding vows wearing just a golfing T-shirt, scruffy cords and comfortable trainers. But that didn’t matter to the newly wed couple, Mr and Mrs Brunskill, who were just relieved to tie the knot and set off to celebrate their wedding.

Mr Clarke, said: “As you can imagine I felt very under-dressed, as registrars normally wear smart suits.”