Throughout our writings, we’ve covered all sorts of actions from 4x4 clubs, from humanitarian activities to disaster relief. It seems that the 4x4 world would get involved wherever it is needed and do its best in the process. However, we’ve never really encountered a clearly built organization that unifies off roaders from an area, enough so that they function as a charity or relief team all year around. Well … not until now, anyway.
The 4x4 Response Network took to life in 1999, when Norfolk off roaders decided to aid the community in any way possible. Throughout time, the initiative took off, with constant awareness raising at off road meets and festivals. Thus, almost 10 years and upwards of 500 members later, the 4x4 Response Network officially took shape as an umbrella charity.
The hundreds of members have been a constant help to local communities as snow plows, rescue and relief vehicles, emergency tow vehicles as well as the obvious technical advice. They gained country wide publicity in 2012 though, when they were involved in something big. Really big.
This year, the Vectis 4x4 group, based on the Isle of Wight, called out to the Response network during the music festival that brings about more than fifty five thousand fans from all over. Unlike previous editions, it wasn’t exactly sunshine and happiness at the festival. It was more like pouring rain, soggy clothes and wellies. With tractors, people and utility vehicles going in and out of the place to prepare for the big event, the roads have become more like a swamp ground. Immediately, Vectis 4x4 sent out a request and, as a result, more than eighty 4x4 trucks made their way to the island from as far away as Wales. The off roaders mounted their mud chains and straps and towed out the visitors out of the swampy parking lot. Turns out this wasn’t the only event…
A little west of the Wight Festival, there was also the GuildFest, over in Guildford, Surrey. Now, here things got a little more complicated. Here, the 4x4s had to drag out flatbed trucks and tractor units from the artists, with both kinetic straps and winches. Lucky for them, some time earlier, they had their periodical practice runs with both manual and powered winches.
Since the Response Network has become a fully functional charity, more attention has been paid towards improving the knowledge of the members and volunteers. The Surrey group, in particular, organizes monthly meetings aimed at sharpening skills such as safety driving in adverse conditions, first aid and training with Lowland Search Dogs
Talking with Andrew Pepper, of the Surrey 4x4 Response: "The Isle of Wight and GuilFest festivals required a form of assistance that we had never even considered before, but our recovery operations went very well because we had practiced and worked together as a team beforehand - albeit expecting the difficult ground conditions to be snow or floodwater!
Also, on the topic of the Network's future plans, he added: "We don’t tend to go to large 4x4 shows as we are not a commercial organization with something to sell, although we did attend the Brooklands Emergency Services Day along with the ‘blue light’ services to raise our profile with them. As far as future plans go, Surrey 4x4 Response wants to continue to build up good working relationships with all the Surrey emergency services, such that they know they can call on us whenever there are adverse weather conditions."
