As the severe weather continues to take its toll in communities across the country, I would like to publicly thank WRVS volunteers in the Wiltshire area who have given their time to help those in distress.

WRVS emergency services teams have been working closely with local authorities, police, fire and ambulance to maintain much needed and much appreciated rest and reception centres for those affected by current conditions.

Many of these volunteers, working in shifts around the clock, have also been affected be recent storms and flooding. Typically, however, they have put the needs of others ahead of their own domestic problems.

During the September fuel crisis, many volunteers working on Meals on Wheels projects, demonstrated similar qualities by finding alternative modes of transport (often this meant their own fleet) to ensure that the elderly and housebound who rely on the daily delivery of a hot meal were not put at risk.

WRVS volunteers (and there are over 100,000 across the UK) are often unsung heroes. This is an occasion when all of us should be saying thank you.

TINA TIETJEN

Women's Royal Voluntary Service

Head Office

Milton Hill

Abingdon