Eight-mile trek to work is no sweat for Debbie

THE council may have come under fire for its handling of the big freeze, but its employees have been hailed as "heroic" for going above and beyond the call of duty to help the city's most vulnerable people.

Social care worker Debbie Winton is just one member of staff whose dedication has been described as "truly amazing" by health and social care leader Paul Edie.

Miss Winton walked eight miles in deep snow from her step-father's house in Currie after the buses were cancelled and she was unable to take her car out to ensure her elderly clients in Morningside did not go without essential care.

She then trekked up to Buckstone, Fairmilehead and Oxgangs to visit more elderly and vulnerable residents, then back to Morningside and home to Currie.

The 29-year-old left for work at 6.25am on the first real day of disruption on November 29 and did not get home until 9.45pm.

Miss Winton, who has worked as a care worker for four years, said: "My step-dad asked me why I didn't just phone up and say I couldn't make it, but if that was your mum or dad you wouldn't want them to be left lying in bed all day.

"We have a lot of agency workers who did the same. Most people who do this job are caring."

Miss Winton managed to see 11 of her clients during that day who would otherwise have been left without any home help.

Other "inspiring" stories praised by Cllr Edie include Community Alarm Telecare staff who responded to a call about a 97-year-old man who had suffered a stroke and managed to get him hospital treatment after getting through heavy snow with lifting equipment.

n Anyone concerned about someone who they feel should be getting assistance can contact the social care direct team on 0131-200 2324, or 0800 731 6969 (evenings and weekends).