Mercury (Hobart)

Local heroes reconnect to lend a hand

- ROB INGLIS

THE creators of a web platform designed to help people struggling through the Covid pandemic have sprung back into action, with an influx of Tasmanians registerin­g to lend a hand since the snap lockdown was implemente­d in southern Tasmania on Friday.

Mark Acheson, one of the cofounders of Crisis Heroes, said the platform used geolocatio­n to connect people within a certain radius.

“You register, select a location and a radius, and within that radius you’ll see people,” he said.

“Whether they are looking to help or actually need a bit of a hand, be it grocery delivery, walking the dog, a friendly online chat or any custom deed that you want to do.”

Mr Acheson, of Blackmans Bay, started Crisis Heroes at the outset of the pandemic with his friends Matthew Platts and Nic Hoban, both also Tasmanian.

He said the platform, which has more than 13,000 users across the country, had long been dormant in Tasmania due to the relative freedoms the state has enjoyed since mid-2020.

But that all changed when Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Friday that southern Tasmania was going into lockdown for three days.

“Since yesterday we’ve had more than 200 people in the Hobart area register, which is great,” Mr Acheson said.

“These things take time, but we’re actually seeing a few people connect on Crisis Heroes and getting the help that they need.”

There are currently about 800 Crisis Heroes users in Tasmania.

 ?? ?? Co-founder of Crisis Heroes Mark Acheson. Picture: Chris Kidd
Co-founder of Crisis Heroes Mark Acheson. Picture: Chris Kidd

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