Daniel Spence's rare Toyota has been busy bringing health care workers to their jobs after at least two major storms dumped well in excess of 50 centimetres of the white stuff. (Daniel Spence)

By Jordan Davidson

Toyota's to the rescue

Off-road vehicle group volunteering to get health care workers to their jobs

Dec 31, 2021 | 12:18 PM

NANAIMO — A group of all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts are stepping up and offering rides to help snowed-in Island health care workers get to their jobs.

A private Facebook group was started to bring together those with a passion for off-road vehicles, mostly Toyota’s, with essential health care workers who’d struggled to navigate the snowy conditions.

Daniel Spence has been using his 1988 Toyota to help over 100 people get to work this past week.

“I’ve definitely grabbed over 100 people in the past four days. Looking at my odometer I’m over 2,000 kilometres. If we can actually help people instead of wasting fuel wheeling around the forest not doing anything all that useful just doing what we love, then all the power to our Toyota’s.”

This collaboration started when members of the Vancouver Island Toyota 4×4 group began connecting with health care workers they knew personally who were looking for rides to work during inclement weather.

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From there, the group was created, where workers can post their location and work times and be connected with a local driver.

Spence said they are passionate about their vehicles and are thrilled to be able to assist the community.

“I’ve just been having a blast doing it. They’re such nice people, they’re super thankful because the island is not prepared for this type of weather. It’s been amazing to watch the community come together.”

A machinist by trade and a Manitoba native, Spence has broken his neck twice, with the staff of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital being instrumental in his recovery.

“I’m alive because of this hospital and the Canadian health care system. I don’t have any family in B.C., and because of the restrictions I couldn’t go anywhere and I was looking for something to do and wanted to give back. ”

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow