More than 300 Snow Champions and council workers attended a “thank you” event for their hard work during the snowy weather.

Members of the public and staff were invited to meet the Mayor of Sandwell, the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive last week.

Dozens of Snow Champions who helped to clear streets in their communities with snow shovels and salt supplied by the council were invited to the event at the WS10 Suites in Wednesbury on Thursday.

Meals on wheels and community care staff who braved snowy conditions to look after vulnerable people, staff from Sandwell Park Farm who helped save animals from snow drifts and gritter drivers who worked 12-hour shifts were all invited.

Bereavement services staff who made sure funeral services went ahead and cemeteries stayed open and Serco binmen who completed their rounds despite deep snow and ice were also thanked for their hard work.

Another special guest was 15-year-old Jordan Blakeway who became an internet sensation and attracted 16,000 Likes on the council’s Facebook page after he bought his own grit to help clear an alleyway used by shoppers in Cradley Heath.

Chief executive Jan Britton said: “We decided we had to do something to say thank you to the people who kept Sandwell moving during the snow – both Snow Champions and council employees.”

“We couldn’t invite everybody, but I hope those who weren’t there still feel they were represented and that their hard work was recognised and appreciated,” he added.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said it was an honour to meet so many Snow Champions and dedicated staff.

“We couldn’t invite absolutely everybody, but we wanted to say thank you to as many people as we could.

“Many of our staff went above and beyond to continue delivering services to the public despite the snow.

“And the Snow Champions did a fantastic job to help people get around. I heard from people who had cleared whole streets to help their neighbours get out and about.”

Councillor Cooper said the Snow Champion campaign came about was because the council couldn’t grit or clear snow from the 2,000+ miles of pavements and roads around the borough.

“As a council, we can’t grit every road, path and pavement, but the campaign showed that people are willing to get stuck in and help one another.

“We want to see how we can make the Snow Champions campaign even bigger and better next year, and I’ll be talking to officers about that over the coming months.”