Courier Country communities come together to support the vulnerable

Community-minded people in Kinrossshire are joining forces with local organisations to support vulnerable residents.

Kinross Kindness has been set up by Milnathort businessman Tim Mart, boss of the social enterprise Know You More.

It will connect volunteers with local businesses and other groups to ensure older people and those who are selfisolating do not go short of essential provisions and support.

Anyone needing help can complete an online form – or ask someone to do it for them – and their request will be matched to a volunteer who can help with tasks such as collecting shopping or prescriptions, give advice or provide a friendly voice on the end of the phone.

Tim said: “Through kindness and compassion, people and businesses will get through this together.”

Hunters of Kinross has delivered 200 free cottage pies to locally elderly people, and Giacopazzi’s in

Milnathort and Kinross has changed its technology so customers can pay for groceries over the phone.

Elsewhere, more than 1,500 St Andrews volunteers have been recruited as the town takes steps to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

Katy Keenan, a lecturer from St Andrews University, made an appeal for people who wanted to show their support on Sunday.

Volunteers from Community

Aid St Andrews (CASA) have been distributing leaflets aimed at offering help to those who are self-isolating.

Bakery Fisher & Donaldson is planning home deliveries in St Andrews and Cupar plus a click and collect service to all of its stores.

A Tealing helpine, 07340 476007, has been launched to support people in the Angus village.

Perthshire gutter cleaning business Gutters2Glory has offered assistance to elderly and at risk people in the Kinross area.

The Perth Concert Hall catering team is donating food it can no longer use to Perth and Kinross Foodbank.

The Scone Fish and Chip Shop has been distributing potatoes to elderly residents.

People in Benarty have been told to call Bert – the Benarty Emergency Response Team – if they are lonely or in need over the next few months.

Levenmouth businesses have agreed to distribute sanitary products to teenage girls to help alleviate period poverty after schools close at the end of this week.

Sanitary pads and tampons are currently available in the school.

Kirkcaldy Foodbank has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to keep the service going.

The charity, which has had to change its opening times, has also appealed for people to keep handing in food following a drop in donations.