A community group has been set up for Salford residents to drop off supplies and food for those most at risk of the Coronavirus disease.
The Spirit of Salford Network is calling for residents to register themselves as volunteers who are willing to help supply members of the community who are most at risk of catching COVID-19 or are currently in isolation and unable to attain supplies.
The Facebook group was set up over the weekend and has rapidly grown, amassing over 1,500 members and up to 500 have put themselves forward as volunteers to make drop offs.
With recent scenes of supermarket shelves being wiped clean up and down the country and the government advising anyone with symptoms to self isolate.
Many residents have taken it upon themselves to help by taking to social media asking for anybody who is self isolating or at risk if they are in need of essentials.
Founders of the group, councillors Sharmina August and Lewis Nelson are working closely with Salford CVS and healthcare professionals to set up a system that will allow for those in need to be responsibly cared for.
The aim is to help people in the safest way possible by making sure all volunteers aren’t at risk of spreading the virus themselves and to make sure any money raised, or supplies donated goes to the right people..
Locals, outreach groups, businesses and charities have all stepped forward to help by offering admin support, vehicles and storage space.
Eccles ward councillor Sharmina August told the Manchester Evening News:: “Everybody wants to help and we’re setting this up to make sure that people know that the volunteers have all been checked.”
“We know that 99% of people who are offering support are genuine but it’s about keeping all the people of Salford safe.”
Last week Salford saw its first confirmed case after which meant three schools in the area had to close for a deep clean as a precaution.
