Concern, Compassion, and Camaraderie – a true story

When people come together with a common purpose and caring, remarkable things can happen.

I don’t usually write about my personal experiences, but a situation occurred early this week, which was though concerning, warming in demonstrating the spirit of human kindness, what we would call “True Brit Grit”.

Situation

Early Sunday evening the Southeast of England was hit by a particularly heavy snowstorm at near freezing point. It was predicted to be snow flurries but ended up being a heavy fall of 6 inches in a 4-hour period. Earlier in the evening I could see the snow starting and cut short my visit. The M2 and M20 are major arteries into London and either would be a good route for the 19-mile journey home. Apparently the gritters and were not yet operating. My satnav told me both routed had very heavy slow-moving traffic, so I took the alternative A229, a decent 2 lane shortcut.

After about an hour, crawling along occasionally barely reaching 2^nd gear, with most trying to stay in the tracks of the car ahead to avoid the deeper snow and slushy ruts, things took a turn for the worse. As we came to Blue Bell Hill, where the incline offers a 3^rd lane, I started seeing cars pulled over in the inside lane, some at impossible angles, some stuck and some abandoned. Roadworks ahead led to 1 single lane which the cars on the inside lanes couldn’t get back to, and we ground to a complete halt. The off-ramp was only a few hundred yards away but was blocked by a jack-knifed lorry, so we had nowhere to go.

Spirit of human kindness

What I did see, and why I am writing this, was people of all ages, sizes, and race, get out of their cars and help push other people’s cars back to the road, and straightening some up. If 4 helpers weren’t working, pretty soon there were 8 helping. 4x4s, nudging cars up the hill or towing them, and pulling the abandoned cars out of the way to clear another lane. One gentleman in a very large pick-up truck pulled alongside me and asked if I had a tow rope, which a gladly handed over. We spent 4 hours nearly stationary behind another jack-knifed lorry. I had pretty good tread on my relatively new tires, a full tank, a ski jacket, spare fuel tank, and a pair of hiking boots in the boot. The high-end rear wheel drive automatics cars were having a particularly scary, skiddy and torrid time. And those without warm clothes, or decent footwear, or live by “contactless cards” rather than carry any cash, also had a torrid time.

The Heroes of Blue Bell Hill were four young lads, probably late teens, who decided to hike to a service station 1 ½ miles up the hill, but while doing so knocked on windows and took takeaway orders. Apparently, coffee, cigarettes and anything from the hot section were the top requests. They did admit that some cars refused to open their windows to them, some even hurling undeserved racial stereotypical prejudice. When they came back laden with bags, the chap even offered me the right change, though I didn’t take it. I didn’t know, or care, if they were profiting from their enterprise as they were benefitting others.

As they were coming past me for a second run (I don’t know how many runs they did, but they didn’t stop all evening), one of them said “There is a lady, about 15 cars back, with 2 crying kids, who has run out of petrol trying to keep the heaters running. Do you have a spare can, or any cash so we can get a top up from the service station”. My spare is diesel. “Of course!” said I, handing over some cash, “and get them hot chocolates and snacks too!”. Off they trudged uphill again. About an hour later, even though I was dressed appropriately, I was getting cold, so I headed back to my car.

Another knock on my window was from the lady carrying 2 toddlers (twins) who only had slippers on their feet, to thank me for the can of petrol! I carried the 2 kids back for her, and my last pack of Haribo was gratefully snatched by the twins!

My spare tank of diesel was later gratefully received by someone else, and I never saw it, nor my tow rope again. Eventually we started moving and got past the lorry which had 2 tow trucks trying to get it out of verge. It took me 5 ½ hours for a 19-mile journey, but many were not as fortunate as I was.

Observations and Learnings

1. Think ahead, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. We don’t always make perfect choices, but we knew snow was coming, and many were unprepared.
2. Just because you have the privilege of a nice-looking high-end automatic rear-wheel drive doesn’t mean you are immune to weather or is best in all situations. Fit for purpose beats fit for envy every time.
3. We will always have difficult situations in our lives, but when people come together with camaraderie, help each other, and share resources, we can each make things less difficult for others.
4. Acts of compassion and kindness, the consideration for others less fortunate, is in our nature and rewarding. It was lovely to see it that night, from so many selfless people. I felt pretty good about myself, and so should many others about themselves. In particular, the 4 A229 Blue Bell Hill Heroes, who I am hope got to where they were going and slept well that night. True Brit Grit personified.

And finally, regarding the 4 A229 Blue Bell Hill Heroes; when someone is knocking at your door and trying to talk to you, listen to them. Not everyone is demanding something or asking for help; sometimes they may be offering something including help. Racial stereotypical prejudice has no place in our society.

When people are in trouble, who steps up, and what does that tell about ourselves and others?

Simon Crockett

Founder and Head Coach

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