A GROUP of Dane Bank residents have banded together to help out people in their community as the coronavirus epidemic’s iron fist continues to grip the country.
Leaflets posted through doors last week declare that “you’re not alone if you’re self-isolating”, and the group is there to help anybody who is unable or too worried to leave their homes.
Anything from running errands to shopping, cooking food to walking dogs, to picking up prescriptions or just to have a chat; and the humdinger is they ask absolutely nothing in return!
Hannah Thornton, spearheading the campaign, said: “What we’ve tried to do is tap into the wider Covid-19 Mutual Aid initiative, where groups all over the UK join together to help communities.
“We posted flyers around the local area asking anyone who could volunteer to get in touch by WhatsApp, but so many people got in touch it was too manic to keep up!
“We now have a dedicated Facebook group, Dane Bank COVID-19 Mutual Aid, where people can sign up to volunteer to help local residents; we’ve had almost 100 people join in just two days.”
The response from the community has been overwhelming since Hannah’s initial leaflet campaign and the group has already helped a handful of people who are struggling.
And even those who have said they’re “ok for now” have congratulated the group for their efforts and admitted they “feel much better knowing they’re there if they need them.”
Hannah continued: “We’ve had so many people spreading the word, it’s quite amazing. We’ve already done a few deliveries since we put this out there.
“There was a lady who wanted a bottle of milk who couldn’t go out, a mum with a disabled child who needed paracetamol as she couldn’t find any and an old couple who needed some Savlon.
“It’s only little things but to people like them it makes a big difference. We’re also starting to team up with local businesses to try and get even more help to people who need it.
“The Sunshine Bakery on Hulme Road have already jumped on board with us, and next week we’re hoping to get in touch with others in the hope that they can help us out too.”
If you’re in the Dane Bank area and need help during this time of crisis, you can contact Hannah on 07773 624670 to discuss how the group can help you.
Alternatively, if you would like to help out with their support efforts, you can join the Dane Bank COVID-19 Mutual Aid Facebook group here: https://bit.ly/393JBlK