Snow Champions – Made of true grit

It’s that time of year again and we’re all watching the weather forecast for snow.

So I thought it would be a good time to remind you about the council’s Snow Champion campaign.

Elderly and disabled people who are otherwise independent can struggle to get out of the house when it snows. And there’s the added risk of them falling on snow and ice in winter.

These are the people who need a bit of help – and that’s why I came up with the idea of Snow Champions.

It’s easy really. The council gives out free snow shovels and tubs of salt to people willing to help clear pavements and paths when it snows.

Last winter’s campaign was a great success and more than 2,500 Snow Champions signed up. We ran out of kits before everyone who wanted one could get one.

So this year, we’ve got 5,000 kits to give away. Nearly half of those have gone already, but there’s still time to sign up if you want one.

That’s 5,000 snow shovels and more than 15 tonnes of salt for the community to use where it’s needed. Plus there’s the 2,500 people who signed up last year who we’ve given an extra salt tub.

The easiest way is to sign up online by going to the council website – www.sandwell.gov.uk/snowchampion

I was so proud to see our Snow Champions helping others last winter.

If we can stop just one person from slipping and falling on snow this winter, then in my opinion the Snow Champion campaign has paid for itself.

Not only that, it’s about helping people to stay safe, to stay independent and to create a feeling of community.

If you live in Sandwell and you haven’t signed up to be a Snow Champion yet, please do.