Honiton charity beats snow to save lives

Vital NHS calls answered by volunteers.

Three emergency calls have been passed to the Hontion-based Devon Freewheelers Emergency Volunteer Serive during the extreme winter conditions.

The charity’s founder, Daniel Lavery, even had to race to the aid of a cardiac patient in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, via Plymouth.

Due to the heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, which at one stage closed the A30 between Honiton and Daisy Mount Junction and parts of the A38. air ambulances were grounded and South Western Ambulance Service resources stretched to capacity.

The NHS phoned Devon Freewheelers to ask if they could help.

Emergency temperature-controlled stocks, needed for a cardiac patient in Exeter, were stranded at the specialist coronary care unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Mr Lavery accepted the job and borrowed a 4x4 vehicle to complete the task.

Real time traffic information and road closures were supplied by Devon and Cornwall Police and the transfer was completed in some of the worst conditions ever experienced on our roads.

“This is exactly what the charity is all about,” said Mr Lavery.

“We experienced some horrendous weather conditions and a special thanks to DCC for their guidance to Plymouth and back.

“Lots of diversions and road closures were being set up by the minute and being able to use the information from DCC was instrumental to completing the task without any delay.”

The charity is considering how to acquire its own 4x4 for future use.