News in brief

Pitlochry High School pupils have given a set of tablet devices to Balhousie Pitlochry Care Home to help residents keep up regular contact with family and friends while the home is closed to non-essential visits. Care home visits except in an emergency have now been stopped in Dundee. Electronic means of communication are being made available and staff are helping assist residents to contact family members digitally. A new mini-bus shuttle service has been launched to help key workers get from Kirriemuir to Forfar. The Angus Council-run route will also connect with onward travel to Dundee via the 20 and 20C bus services. NHS Fife has joined forces with pharmacies and public and private sector organisations to deliver prescriptions to elderly and at-risk people. Volunteers will collect medicines from pharmacies and hospitals and take them to people who are self-isolating and have no family member, carer or friends nearby who can do it for them. Call 0800 389 6046 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or email prescriptions@ fva The Marie Dargie Trust is organising for free food boxes to be delivered to Brechin’s elderly. It is working with Les Turriff, regional produce supplier. The boxes will include fresh fruit, vegetables, a loaf of bread and milk. To order, call 01356 622289. Markinch Community Council has gathered a group of volunteers willing to help with shopping, dog walking, transport for appointments, prescription collection and gardening. Anyone who needs help should call 07922 221629 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday or email aamhigh@btinternet.com Perth and Kinross Council says residents who are suffering financial hardship due to the coronavirus epidemic can cancel their council tax direct debits. They will then be issued a new bill with advice on alternative arrangements. Dundee Cancer Support Network (CANDU) is offering daily online support for its clients via its Facebook page. For one-to-one support contact Julie Wardrup at info@ cancerdundee.org