CAVRA – The Cardiff and Vale Rescue Association - worked tirelessly throughout the recent snow emergency, providing assistance to the local police, health service, and members of the public.

To date members have 'rescued' 53 people, travelled over 1,500 miles and been on-task for over 400 hours.

The voluntary team, which was set up in 2000, has 30 members across Cardiff and the Vale, who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

During the snow and ice, they helped take essential police officers to and from work, as well as attending a number of urgent incidents throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Considerable assistance was given to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) by transporting essential medical staff to and from work, and by taking patients home who would not have otherwise been able to spend Christmas with their families.

Ivor Davies, CAVRA Chairman & Director of Operations, said: "Numerous taskings were to inaccessible roads in the South Wales area, which normal vehicles could not reach.

"CAVRA also deployed four vehicles to help in local communities, with members using their own 4x4s.

"The CAVRA communication system was heavily used, especially during the initial stages of the emergency."

10 members of CAVRA actively assisted during this time, with another 20 on standby.

The aims of the organisation are to:

* Provide assistance during searches for missing persons

* Provide assistance during adverse weather conditions

* Provide assistance during any civil contingency Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are trained in communications skills, map reading and first aid.

CAVRA is a voluntary organisation that relies on donations for all its costs.

Further information is available from Ivor Davies on 07973 627137 or via the website www.cavra.org.uk