A 101-year-old has stepped outside her house for the first time in six years thanks to a kindhearted volunteer who checked on her during the coronavirus lockdown.
Bessy has been stuck indoors for so long because her only real source of help is carers, who visit her everyday to carry out errands such as shopping and cleaning.
Unfortunately they do not have the authority or time to take Bessy for walks.
Bessy hadn't eaten a hot meal for three weeks before James Sanderson went round to drop off a delicious plate of home cooked food.
The 42-year-old got chatting to Bessy, who has very little family, and was "mortified" to hear she had been cooped up in her small North Yorkshire home for years on end.
Dad-of-four James went directly from the house to buy Bessy a walking frame and returned later that day to give it to her so that she can get up and about.
Since then the pair, who have practised safe social distancing the entire time, have ventured out into Bessy's garden, where she had not stepped foot for six years.
Ex-firefighter James said: "I was mortified when she told me she hadn't had a hot meal in three weeks and then couldn't believe it when she said she hadn't been outside for so long.
"I decided I would do whatever it takes to help her, so I went out and bought her a walking frame second hand.
"Now she can actually get out into her garden, whereas before she would just look out through the window. I think it's made her really happy."
James, who works as an entrepreneur, set up Barlby Region Independent Group Helpers Together in March, anticipating the help many of society's most vulnerable would need.
He leads a team of around 50 people, who deliver up to 100 meals a day as well as going shopping or picking up medication for anyone who is unable to get out of the house.
In under six weeks the group have done around 4,500 jobs for people in the community.
James heard about Bessy last week when delivering a Sunday lunch to a couple, who asked if he could drop in on their family member who had been alone for some weeks.
He drove straight to her house to deliver a hot meal and the pair ended up chatting.
James said: "Bessy is such a lovely happy lady, it's been so nice getting to know her.
"She keeps saying how much of a lovely man I am, but I'm just doing what anyone would to help at a time like this."
Now James visits Bessy three times a day to deliver not only hot food but anything else she might need, such as food shopping or magazines.
During each visit the pair enjoy spending some time speaking to one and other through the gap in her front door, while remaining at least two metres apart at all times.
James said: "I think I'm enjoying Bessy's company as much as she's enjoying mine - she's great."
When James told Bessy she might be in the newspaper, she told him the only message she wanted to give was a big 'thank you' to The Queen for sending her a 100th birthday card.
James is raising money to help fund the community group, donate here.
