A 67-YEAR-OLD home support worker braved freezing temperatures and snow to walk a total of 21 miles to ensure her clients were cared for.

Connie Nobes, who works for Oxfordshire County Council, walked three-and-a-half miles each day from her village home to Grove and back to carry out home visits during the bad weather.

Last night, clients Norman and Sybil Cross, of Wick Green, Grove, publicly thanked her for making the journey to make sure they were all right.

The couple, both 87, receive visits from support workers three times a day to help them with dressing, bathing and other day-to-day-tasks.

Part-time worker Mrs Nobes, of Reynolds Way, East Challow, walked on three days during the week of bad weather – 21 miles in all.

She said: “I don’t feel in any way exceptional because many of us girls had a hard time walking in; I’m one of the team and we all did a lot of walking.

“As soon as I went and saw how deep the snow was I decided to walk.

“It would have been very difficult to get up the hill and then you have to go down a hill. That’s very treacherous so it was safest to walk. It took me about 55 minutes.”

The grandmother-of-two added: “I love my job. It’s quite a challenge but it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

“I enjoy it because I’m helping people who sometimes are very vulnerable and need help with washing and dressing, making beds and sometimes medication. There are lots of other little jobs.”

Mr Cross, a retired lorry driver, said: “Due to the weather we didn’t expect anyone to come, but Connie arrived at 7.20am, 10 minutes early.”

Mrs Cross added: “It’s wonderful that they looked after us old ones and it was nice to know that we were being well cared for.

“We would just like to say thank you to them.”

Home support manager Susan Reddy said: “Connie was one of a group of officers who walked many miles to make sure vulnerable people continued to receive visits during the cold weather and snow.

“It was an absolutely fantastic effort and they are a credit to themselves and the county council.”