THERE was a real sign of community togetherness as staff, volunteers and residents pulled together to support St Michael’s Hospice during the recent blast of snow.

People went above and beyond to ensure that all patients at St Michael’s Hospice, in Aldermaston Road, and St Michael’s Home Care were able to receive the care they needed, with staff on leave calling in and offering to walk to work.

Staff were assisted by the services of Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response whose volunteer drivers and their vehicles were able to get staff into work and also out into the community to provide critical care away from the in-patient unit (IPU).

Karen Miller, one of the St Michael’s Hospice community palliative care team nurses, said: “Thank you to the 4x4 drivers for getting us around to see all of our patients who need us and rely on us in the community.

“We were able to continue giving the high standards of care to all of our patients and ensuring they were all comfortable and had the support they needed and deserve from St Michael’s Hospice.

"We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Teams were given an extra boost when staff from AWE Aldermaston delivered sandwiches for patients, families, staff and volunteers.

Chief executive officer at the hospice, Dave Monkman, expressed his thanks to all the staff and volunteers who worked so hard during the adverse weather.

He said: “It is only because of their efforts that the Hospice and Home Care were able to maintain their critical services to patients in IPU and in the community which in itself is a fantastic achievement given the weather conditions.”