A NATIONAL charity are appealing for volunteers in Ceredigion over the winter to help vulnerable people get out of the house by clearing ice and snow from pavements.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is urging people across the county to become ‘Snow Angels’ and clear ice and snow from outside their neighbours’ house if they are unable to do it themselves because of age or disability.

When the weather does get icy, Living Streets have said that being a Snow Angel is as easy as equipping yourself with rock salt and sparing a few minutes at the beginning and end of the day to grit.

“It is about reducing isolation for older people,” said Rachel Maycock, the charity’s co-ordinator in Wales.

“A lot of people all over Wales don’t venture outside if it is going to be dangerous for them because a slip or a fall can change someone’s life and independence.

“Some councils grit pavements as well as roads but Ceredigion County Council don’t so we are asking communities to step up and do some of this themselves.”

Ms Maycock encouraged people to set up a group of volunteers who might know the needs of their neighbours well, or know of care homes which would benefit from Snow Angels.

She added: “We unfortunately don’t have any volunteers in Ceredigion or Wales at the moment so we would like to hear from people who can volunteer.

“If a community group wanted to do something, whether it be outside a neighbours house, a car home or a school, we would encourage them to get hold of rock salt before it freezes.

“We can give people guidance to do it themselves.”

Although Living Streets don’t offer free rock salt, Ms Maycock added it was relatively cheap to buy and one cup of salt would cover a metre, or if people formed a big group they could lobby the council to provide rock salt.

People who are interested in volunteering should contact Rachel Maycock by phone on: 07714 616 598; by email on: [email protected]; or by visiting: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/.