A Dumfries charity is expanding its food delivery service throughout the country.
The Food Train, which was launched in 1995, helps frail, disabled and vulnerable older people by delivering groceries every week.
With the lockdown making the service more important, the charity has appealed for more more donations and volunteers.
SP Energy Networks boosted the Food Train to the tune of £450,000 to pay for nine new electric vehicles.
The beefed-up service in Dumfries and Galloway is now matching up older people who need help with volunteers living nearby.
But The Food Train said it needs more recruits following a spike in requests.
Volunteer Ian Arthur said: “The Food Train has given me a real insight into the challenges that some of our vulnerable and elderly citizens face.
“Volunteering has given me a sense of self-worth and during these times it has never been more important to support those who cannot support themselves.”
With older people across Dumfries and Galloway going into lockdown for many weeks, the charity has an unprecedented number of elderly people asking for help or being referred for food deliveries.
The sudden upsurge in demand has brought increased costs.
Cash donations to their Justgiving page provide more delivery boxes, fuel for delivery vehicles, personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser for volunteers.
Chief executive Michelle Carruthers said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our volunteers and supporters across Dumfries and Galloway who have stepped up to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities throughout this crisis.
“We’re delighted to have the support from SP Energy Networks to expand and sustain our services and are pleased we are able to make available our new Food Train Connects service.”
Frank Mitchell from SP Energy Networks said: “People across Dumfries and Galloway are doing extraordinary things to help the most vulnerable in their community during the coronavirus outbreak.
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/campaign/FoodTrain.
Anyone interested in volunteering can email shopping@thefoodtrain.co.uk.
