Rallying round to do their bit for those at risk
Facebook groups see local folk on hand and waiting to help
AS THE coronavirus crisis gets worse by the day, people in the area are fighting back and doing their bit for those who are most at risk. One of those people is student and events management business owner Craig Brown. The 23-year-old, who is studying business at Loughborough University, has begun organising a full scale operation with his girlfriend Amy Finch to help those in need in Loughborough. After putting out an offer on a community Facebook page asking if any vulnerable people needed help, he received an unprecedented response. His offer to help others has garnered hundreds of likes and more than a hundred shares on Facebook, along with comments from people praising his philanthropy. What originally started as a small idea to help a few people has quickly grown into a huge operation and Craig has already recruited 450 volunteers to help canvass the area and find where needs the most help. Craig said: “I’ve got 6,000 leaflets being printed, and I’m meeting with a member of the council to find out where would be the best to target. “Initially we’ve got 25 people that have asked for help already.” He is also meeting with other community groups and businesses to see who else is willing to help. Craig is still in midst of organising and has decided that safety must come first as it is a difficult situation, with the risk of infection. He added: “I’ve been reluctant to start until we’re ready. I want to make sure we’ve got a working strategy so we can protect the vulnerable people we will be helping from the virus.” Craig said he has been taken aback by the amazing response from the community. He said: “It feels great to be part of a community that cares. “After seeing all the headlines about panic buying and the selfishness of people, this is amazing to see. “People have said that they feel so much better just knowing that the help is out there if they need it.” Craig has set up a group on Facebook for people who need help, or want to help, called Loughborough Community Volunteers. Another individual who is doing her bit to help the local community is Charlotte Rennie. Cancer survivor Charlotte knew she had to do something when she realised how many people were selfisolating due to coronavirus. Now aged 36, Charlotte was diagnosed with breast cancer 23 months ago. After having a double mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy, she self-isolated for ten months, relying on others for help and support. Having to rely on a network of helpers around her to help her out with shopping and other jobs, she knows exactly what it’s like to be vulnerable. Over the weekend, Charlotte was so incensed by the people buying up stocks in our local supermarkets, she decided to ‘rant’ about it in her local area Facebook group. She quickly realised that other people felt the same way, and it was at this point that she decided, alongside Peter Selby and Matthew Reed on admin, to set up a Facebook group that would help others in the same situation. The group, called ‘Shepshed - coronavirus help and helpers’ quickly took off. Members now stand at 500 and are a mixture of people needing help and those willing to offer. Charlotte said: “We set up a platform for those who are having to self-isolate, so they can say ‘I’m housebound, can someone get me a bottle of cordial’.” She said: “We know there are a lot of older people who have been told to isolate, and there are other at risk groups out there, of all ages who are vulnerable and having to stay at home. “This group is for them, too. “There are so many people that need help. We’re not an organisation or a charity, but we want to help as many people as possible.” To find the Facebook group search for Shepshed - CoronaVirus Help & Helpers As well as individuals like Craig and Charlotte doing their bit, businesses have also arranged for special delivery services for the elderly, some are gathering food parcels and some are reducing prices to help those affected.
CHARNWOOD Borough Council has pledged to support communities through the coronavirus pandemic and keep them informed about possible changes to services.
Coun Jonathan Morgan, leader of the council, said: “This is a serious situation and our priority is and will always be the health and wellbeing of everyone living, working and visiting Charnwood.
“We are implementing our business continuity plans to ensure our services remain operational and available to serve and support our communities.
“I would like to assure people that we are following the latest guidance and advice from the Government, Public Health England and the NHS at all times.
“Following the most recent announcement by Government on March 16, we are anticipating that some of our services will need to adapt and change temporarily.
“Officers are reviewing the announcement to understand the full implications for our services and communities and we will be providing further updates very soon.
“To help keep people informed of any potential changes we have created a section on the council website to update people on any changes to services. We would encourage people to visit the site – www. charnwood.gov.uk/coronavirus
“We will also highlight any changes to services on our other channels including social media and email alerts. Please follow our social media accounts or sign up to the email alerts.
“Charnwood has a great community spirit and people will want to help others. We will be supporting and enabling this effort, working with partners across Leicestershire.”
Last week the government announced business rates discounts and relief to help businesses and the council has pledged to implement this as soon as possible.
Further guidance by the government is due to be published shortly.