A Perthshire charity is spearheading a bid to ensure selfless individual actions see communities through the worst winter weather.
In the wake of recent gales and with an icy Arctic blast expected soon, Voluntary Action Perthshire has issued a rallying call to generous citizens.
It is hoped a database of useful skills, equipment and people prepared to put their backs into tasks can be built to respond quickly to problems in coming weeks.
Voluntary Action Perthshire is the community engagement department of Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS).
The charity’s Norrie McPherson explained the thinking behind the new Winter Watch scheme.
He said: ”Basically we’re asking: ‘What can you do for your community when severe weather strikes?’ Winter Watch is a new scheme to identify the support that local communities need and provide for each other.
”Winter Watch aims to collate, co-ordinate and mobilise local people to assist the emergency response to the worst disruption.”
Last year, farmers leant their equipment to snow clearing operations and in certain cases whole streets were cleared by shovel-wielding volunteers.
Norrie added: ”Those who already volunteer could cast their net into the wider community and try and reach even more people.
”Good neighbours who already clear their pavements and streets of snow or bring weekly shopping to local homes could offer to help vulnerable people further afield.
”Local businesses could extend the services they offer their customers in times of crisis to the wider community.
”And community members may have 4X4s, tractors, generators or a potential community facility with space for evacuees.”People can join Winter Watch now by visiting vaperthshire.org