People living in remote hamlets in the Yorkshire Dales have been cut off by snow since the middle of last month. Joe Willis joined the rescuers.

YOU don’t live six miles from the nearest shop in one of the remotest parts of the country without being self-sufficient.

But even the most hardy and well-prepared need a little help during the worst winter for 30 years.

Residents of the tiny hamlets of Kexwith and Helwith were reluctant to call for assistance, but after being cut off for a month they had no other option.

Their call was answered by Richard White and Richard Hey, volunteers with Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.

On Tuesday night, rescuers walked through a blizzard to reach the people to make sure they were safe and well.

Yesterday, we returned to deliver their urgently-needed medicine.

To reach the hamlets, we drove the rescue team’s Land Rover through the village of Newsham. Although a snow plough has been along the road, it is still barely passable, with snow higher than the vehicle on either side.

After about four miles, the 4X4s can go no further. It is then a half-mile hike down a moorland track to the first home near Kexwith.

Ian and Mo Morris have lived in the former farmhouse for the past ten years.

They have been cut off for up to ten days before, but never this long.

The couple ran out of heating oil two weeks ago and are now running short of some foods.

Mr Morris, 64, a sales agent, said: “We were prepared to a certain extent, but not when it goes on for this length of time.”

Mrs Morris, 61, who rehomes West Highland terriers, said: “We keep saying ‘we’ll get out, we’ll get out’ but we don’t.”

The couple said their Christmas had been nice and quiet, although they admitted that running out of gin and whisky had been a problem.

Mr Morris was also unhappy that they had finished all the bacon – he said his wife’s pet rare breed pigs, Del Boy and Rodney, were looking tastier by the day.

The couple said they could not thank the rescue team enough.

“I think they are absolutely wonderful,” Mrs Morris said.

After polishing off most of their Christmas cake, it is then another hike of about a mile to people stranded in Helwith.

Liz Ayling was overjoyed to see us. The medicine is for her partner who has suffered a stroke.

“You have to make the best of it, but when you’re dependent on medicine you get a bit desperate,” she said.

Her neighbour, Brenda Belwood’s husband did manage to leave the hamlet to go to work a week ago.

However, further snowfalls have stopped him from returning home. She said: “I’ve got no husband, no phone and the food for the animals is running out.”

Mrs Belwood admitted she was anxious. “You think nobody knows you’re here,” she added.

Rescuer Richard White said the exercise had been a satisfying one.

“We’ve done something to help someone and at the end of the day that’s what we joined for,” he said.

Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team get no Government funding and rely on donations.

To donate to the team, visit swaledalemrt.org.uk