With council resources prioritised into other areas, many elderly residents in Sedbergh were cut off and unable to leave their homes due to the treacherous snow and ice last week.
In a coordinated effort, the pupils of Settlebeck School and Sedbergh School responded by deploying teachers with teams of pupils to clear the footpaths and steps around the village’s Community Health Centre and sheltered housing throughout the town.
Local district councillor Sheila Capstick, who sourced the grit from Cumbria County Council for the community effort, said: “On behalf of the many dozens of elderly Sedbergh residents who were unable to get to their bins or collect their prescriptions and shopping, I would like to say a massive thank you to Settlebeck and Sedbergh Schools for their fantastic community spirit. I would also like to thank the staff of Cumbria County Council’s depot for prioritising the grit drop to support the schools’ efforts.”
The Chairman of Sedbergh Parish Council, councillor Kevin Lancaster added: “We must remember our older and vulnerable at this time of year and these pupils have done exactly that.”
