MVS at Wirral Walk 2012

The Wirral Walk is organised by the Rotary Club and has been held every year since 1986. Last year more than 5000 walkers raised an estimated £400k for national and international charities. The walk follows a route of about 15 miles around the coast from Seacombe Ferry on the River Mersey to Thurstaston Country Park on the River Dee.

Welfare and emergency cover is provided mainly by volunteer organisations. These include St John Ambulance and Raynet and this year MVS was part of this team in the shape of Area Volunteer Officer, Chris Todd.  Chris took the MVS Roadshow to Leasowe Lighthouse (just over 6 miles from the start ) where the Friends of the Lighthouse had opened the ground floor  visitor centre to provide much-needed refreshments to the many walkers and supporters throughout the event.

MVS Chris Todd with Wirral RAYNET Deputy Group Controller James Warren

Chris was kept busy fielding the many enquiries from walkers including a group of youngsters who took a particular interest in the work of the MVS.

MVS also featured amongst the walkers with three MVS members taking part in the walk to raise funds for the local unit (Liverpool City). Paul Hutchings (Deputy National Secretary), Natasha Osborne (Head of Liverpool City Unit) and David Thelan (Treasurer, Liverpool City Unit) can be seen below at around the half-way point in Hoylake.

Sponsored walkers MVS members (LtoR) Paul Hutchings, Natasha Osborne & David Thelan

Later, Chris and Paul met with James Warren, Deputy Group Controller for Wirral RAYNET and described the MVS and its role in relation to emergency communications, citing for example the excellent work done in the South of England and the resilience working on the Isle of Wight. James kindly provided an overview of the RAYNET organisation whose members use their own radio equipment to provide a comprehensive and sophisticated communications network  which closely parallels the MVS own Operational Support and Communications branch.  Paul observed “I am sure that with our trained operators a close working relationship can quickly be established in the area.”

Chris Todd with sponsored MVS walkers Natasha Osborne and David Thelan of Liverpool City Unit