Shetland series author leaves out books for OAPS in act of kindness
The author of the Shetland Island novels which inspired a hit BBC series is keeping selfisolated OAPS mentally stimulated by leaving books outside her home for them.
Ann Cleeves, 65, is too young to be forced into self-isolation, but is caring for her grandson, who has asthma and is at risk from coronavirus.
The crime writer, who has penned more than 30 novels, including the Shetland Island series focusing on Inspector Jimmy Perez, is keeping in touch with elderly and vulnerable neighbours through a Whatsapp group.
And she left a box full of booksforoapstoriflethrough on the wall of her home in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear.
Ms Cleeves said: “There are people who are self-isolating on my street and everyone is looking out for them and saying do they need anything.
“The books are for anybody who is self-isolating. Some of the libraries are closing.
“I have replenished it a bit, I went out first thing. I get sent a lot of books. Someone I work with at the publisher said she would do that too.”
The grandmother-of-six lived on the Shetland Isles for one year in her 20s.
She worked at the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, which burnt down last year.
Cleeves has been going back ever since and her series of novels inspired a BBC series.
She said: “People in my street have a Whatsapp group and I just said ‘if you need books come and help yourself ’.
“I think it is kindness that will beat it in the end.”
An island firm has made 15,000 bars of soap which it is giving to residents for free to help combat the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
Arran Sense of Scotland, based on the Isle of Arran in North Ayrshire, has made up 3,000 packs of five 25g bars and is distributing the soap to around 5,000 islanders.
Janet Russell, founder of
Arran Sense of Scotland, said it was “vital” the island community pulls together during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Locals can collect their soap, which is made with natural ingredients, is cruelty free and vegetarian, free of charge from the Arran Sense of Scotland store at Brodick – the island’s main village. Free soap packs are limited to one per household and will also be available at Bay Stores in Whiting Bay and Camerons in Blackwaterfoot.
The thoughtful family business will also be delivering soap packs to all of the island’s schools and nurseries.
And the firm will be providing “hand care packs”, which include handwash and hand cream, to its staff to share with their families.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Scotland rose to 322 yesterday, with a total of six deaths and 12 cases in the Ayrshire and Arran area.
Ms Russell said: “Together with my sons, Andrew and Duncan Russell, and our CEO Kevin Meechan, we have been speaking about providing any help we can to our island community.
“To that end we have begun the immediate production of 15,000 25g bars of soap.
“This soap will be packed in family bags of five bars and available free of charge to islanders.
“This first production will enable us to create just 3,000 bags of soap, so we ask that population works together to only take what they need to ensure there is enough for everyone.
“It’s vital that in times of need we pull together and support our local communities.
“Given that we’re separated from the mainland, we will do everything we can to help keep local residents safe at this time.”
Fetlor Youth Club on Crewe Road South in Edinburgh where people teamed up with the Scran Academy to make meals that are to be distributed to older and vulnerable people who are currently stuck in isolation from the coronavirus pandemic in the local community.
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“There are people who are selfisolating on my street and everyone is looking out for them and saying do they need anything”
ANN CLEEVES
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