Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Good Samaritans go the extra mile to help others
Kind-hearted people across the district have been offering help to those in need following the coronavirus outbreak. As over-70s prepare to enter 12 weeks of self-isolation and many at-risk people are confined to their homes, good Samaritans have been going the extra mile to ensure no one is forgotten about.
Facebook groups have been launched to co-ordinate help, while others have taken a more hands-on approach. In Canterbury, Edd Withers, founder and administrator of Facebook’s hugely popular Canterbury Residents Group, has launched a new page called Canterbury Coronavirus Assistance. The page, which has already garnered more than 800 members, aims to bring together those in need with those volunteering to help out. Similar groups have popped up in surrounding areas, where do-gooders are responding to pleas from those unable to source vital products. Among those who have already been helped is Clare Day, who was in “desperate need” of fragrance-free baby wipes for her paraplegic daughter.
Within an hour of posting on Whitstable Covid-19 Mutual Aid, she had been inundated with offers, and a thoughtful shopper had bought her several new packs.
Some businesses have launched home delivery services to help those unable to get out and do their shopping. Mark Witts, who runs greengrocer Granny Smith’s in Whitstable High Street, is offering to deliver food orders free of charge.
“You call us and we’ll do it over the phone with a card payment, and deliver it later on,” he said. “We’re trying to a bit more for old people who can’t get out. We can leave the deliveries on pathways or doorsteps if that’s better for them.
“Some older people don’t have cards, and I’ve told them they can just sort it next time or get something to come in when they can - it’s not a problem.” Businesses are also helping out in other areas, with Red Lion Canines offering free dog walks for elderly people across Whitstable, Tankerton and Herne Bay, who are unable to walk their pets.
Others are taking a more individual approach, and thinking outside the box for ways to lend a hand.
Shane Watters, from Whitstable, spent time on Monday cleaning the surface of high street cash points and dropping messages with offers of help to his elderly neighbours. He urged others to stop posting on social media and instead be proactive in volunteering. Canterbury Christ Church student Emily Bagnall has offered to assist other students who are keen to stay indoors.
She said: “Many will be worried about completing work. To any CCCU students who are isolating or don’t want to risk going to the library, if you message me I can arrange to pick up any materials you need to get work done at home.” Elizabeth Bonnici from Herne Bay, who used to run her own Greek restaurant, has offered to put her culinary skills to good use by cooking food for the elderly and isolated.
In Bridge, knitters are planning to use the extra time indoors to make “sleeves” for lampposts, post boxes and railings, to “cheer up the village in the face of adversity”. Leighanne Eason urged crafters to “pop out in the night and dress something for all to smile at”. The widespread offers of help have touched the hearts of many elderly people, including Frances Rickson.
She said: “I am overwhelmed by the kindness of those people who are offering their help to the elderly, of which I am one, during these difficult times. “Even though we may not need the help now, it is so reassuring to know that help is out there if needed. Thank you all so much.”
‘I am overwhelmed by the kindness of those people who are offering their help to the elderly’