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The Toyota is sponsored by local businesses

Organisers of the ‘Top Gear’ style banger rally plan a route of 4,500 miles complete with checkpoints through the UK, France and Italy. Chris and Annabel hope that their choice of vehicle and the goodwill of their supporters will propel them to the finish line!

Several local companies have stepped in to help the duo by sponsoring the vehicle, with the Falkirk Herald & Central FM raising the profile of the challenge and highlighting their target of raising £2,500 for the IRC.

Read more on the challenge  or follow the team’s progress on towards the £2,500 target

Support for Forth Valley NHS last winter

Responding to severe weather related incidents has become more common for the Corps up and down the country.

As a result, we continue to look at improvements we can make to enhance our capabilities and keep our rescue teams moving when we are called on to assist again.

Corps Director, Willie McMartin comments -

The operational side of the organisation were only too aware that, although we were able to cope with demands and deliver a high level of service when requested, this is sometimes simply down to the skill of the team members and their willingness to push normal limits.  We will keep looking at how we can improve our capabilities and service.

Simple steps for preparedness

- Telescopic snow shovels, snow and mud mats have been placed in all vehicles to reduce the chance of becoming stuck in snow.

Storms uprooted trees in the Stirling area

- Supplies of road salt have been put in stock at our stores for the team’s use.

- Hot water screen wash for vehicles, as demonstrated at the Scottish Emergency Services Show. This system converts the existing windscreen wash to a hot water system, reducing the formation of ice on wiper blades and windscreen and has the added bonus of helping to remove summertime bugs.

- Quick sharpen chain saws have been trialled and will be fitted to existing equipment.

An IRC team help Humberside Police search ditches and gullies

Following the disappearance of a Withernsea woman, an offer of assistance to take part in a wide area search was accepted by Humberside Police and an IRC search team assembled to search the following day.

Following a police briefing at Withernsea Hospital on Thurs 28th July, the team of 6 members were asked to search gullies, ditches and the cliff edge around the Waxholme Road area, while members of the public completed a line search of the fields under supervision of the police. An IRC rescue ambulance was kept in attendance throughout the search.

The team stood down late in the afternoon after an unsuccessful search.

Last year - Making good progress before the weather changed

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Having attempted to swim the English Channel twice already as a fundraiser for IRC, Julie set out to give it another shot.

Having waited nervously in Dover for a window of good weather, the swim finally got underway on Sunday evening with a team of swimmers.

Julie’s blog -

buy sildenafil – We set off aboard the Sea Leopard at 17:00hrs meaning the team would have to swim through the night to reach French shores.

This was my 3rd attempt at swimming the channel – previous attempts in 2009 and 2010 were thwarted by the weather dramatically changing well into the swim!

We set off in glorious hot weather; the sea was a little choppy but we were soon joined by a curious seal and a couple of porpoises! I was to take the 4th leg which was as we entered the first shipping lane. Boy those boats are big!

By the time it was my turn, the waves had got up and I was in amongst the swells resulting in me swallowing several amounts of sea water. Back on board, one of our swimmers was dreadfully seasick and cold.

By sunset the water temperature was 13^oc and as my leg finished we were still 13 miles from France. As night took over the wind got cold and the jelly fish appeared which resulted in some of us getting stung several times.

We swam through the night an hour at a time watching the stars and moon emerge in the nights sky – each swimmer wearing a green flashing light on their heads and back to ensure they could be seen by the boats pilot and the team.

As the sun started to come up at 4am we could see Cap Griz Nez but we knew we were still a number of hours away due to the tides.

Success! The 24.7 mile route - Dover to Cap Griz Nez

We continued to battle onwards hearing that the other boats with swimmers had given up hours before. It meant we were the first Channel Swimming Association boat of the season still going!

We headed towards the Cap and a debate with the pilot followed as to whether the tide would take us around the Cap or not. This would mean we would have to fight against the tide to get into shore.

Our last swimmer Tejesh was told to go for it and he boldly jumped in! The strong currents and tide meant the escort boat was unable to get into shore so a small inflatable rib escorted him in. With all his strength he eventually made land and we had made it!

The team celebrates on return to Dover

The team covered 24.7 miles and completed the swim in 13 hours and 51 minutes, making it third time lucky for Julie!

Congratulations to all the swimmers who took part and thank you to everyone who donated in aid of IRC.

Taking a chainsaw to a fallen tree

As part of an emergency planning response with Stirling Council, a team of 5 worked into the night as severe weather left fallen trees and debris strewn around the region.

The team helped clear fallen trees from roundabouts to keep traffic moving and removed a tree from the entrance of a Bannockburn school to make the area safe. Working for 5 hours, the team were stood down just after midnight.

Driving from Kochi, in Southern India to Shillong in the north-east, the unique challenge saw 60 teams take to the roads (or lack of!) and make their way through India towards the finish line 4,000km away.

Whatever It Takes!

Running out of fuel, dealing with breakdowns at the side of the road and driving lost in circles were just daily occurrences for the participants who navigated their own Rickshaws (with its 3 wheels and 150cc engine) across India over thousands of miles. Most made it to the finish on time, while others may still be lost somewhere in central India!

Adventure & Fundraising

The event was organised by The Adventurists who have raised over £2 million for charitable causes and we were honoured to be selected as the nominated charity for this year’s spring Rickshaw Run.

Our appreciation goes to all the participants for their fundraising efforts over the last year and for the great achievement of completing the journey (whether the rickshaw was driven or pushed over the finish line!) – Thank you!

Ten members successfully completed the Immediate Life Support course last week held at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The ILS course is a recognised UK Resuscitation Council course consisting of basic to advanced airway management and oxygen therapy through to using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to lead a team during a resuscitation attempt.

Tony Conner, IRC Medic -

This course is a great way of gaining extensive practical experience on immediate life support and the Corps would like to thank the dedicated instructors at James Cook for training our members to a very high standard.

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On Wednesday afternoon, the team withdrew from Japan without having the opportunity to participate in the relief operation.

Japanese Permission

Having worked closely with the Japanese Embassy in London, who recognised IRC’s efforts in responding to the Kobe Earthquake in 1995, permission was granted for a needs assessment team to be deployed. Upon arrival the Embassy was then instrumental in clearing the customs and visa process.

Unable to operate

In order to allow onward travel and involvement in the relief efforts, the team required a letter of authorisation from the British Embassy in Tokyo. Despite a last minute intervention by Lord Selkirk to the Overseas Minister, Andrew Mitchell, no acknowledgment had been received with the team having waited at Haneda Airport for over 24 hours.

Given the ever changing situation and the health and safety challenges presented to the Japanese Government, it was with sad regret the decision was taken to have the team return to the UK.

On return to Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, Ray Gray explained that everything had been in order for the deployment and expressed his disappointment -

We have been doing this for a long time [overseas missions]. We had permission from the country, we had a translator, we had sourced vehicles, we are completely self-sufficient

IRC remains available to assist the Japanese people if required in the future. Our ongoing thoughts are with Japan at this time and we wish them all the best in dealing with the unfolding crisis.

BBC Interview –

(Source – Reuters)

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