In February of this year, all of us were being made aware of a dreadful virus, firstly named Corona, and how it was affecting people in various parts of the world but none of us realized that we weren't prepared for such a situation either internationally or locally.

But each day we were hearing how more people were becoming ill and unfortunately, some losing their life to what became know as Covid-19.

It was decided by medicals experts, scientists, and governments that to try and prevent the spread, that restriction would be put in place, to protect those who were thought to be most vulnerable, namely those with certain health conditions and also the elderly.

It started to become very apparent that there was nothing in place on an immediate level to help the very large numbers of residents this would impact upon and so Philip Garcia contacted me one Sunday morning and asked "Con, we need to help and I have an idea, will you help me get it up and running please?".

That is exactly how Haslington Community Support started, from those few words. We now have over 1,200 members, some who need the occasional helping hand, and some who are willing volunteers and supporters.

These are the ones who will go out to collect medicines, take patients to hospital appointments, fetch shopping and help with gardening.

Or it might be a bit of simple DIY such as changing a light bulb for someone who can't get up a ladder, walking someone's beloved pet, taking the pet to the vet, supplying food to those who for whatever reason, have none, or sitting on the end of a phone listening when someone has been in the depths of despair as a loved one has lain in a hospital through this virus.

We have called out for PPE in times when gloves were in short supply for medical staff. We thank you hairdressers who went to their salons and gave us their supply so medical staff could use them.

An urgent call for plastic seat covers was responded to by a local garage, so health visitors could use them when driving from one patient home to another.

Boxes and boxes of hand creams and lip salves for staff at Leighton and all donated by this Community.

We have even helped furnish a house for a family who had just the clothes they stood up in, and all of from the volunteers and our supporters who have been so generous with their time and their compassion and at times their own money when we were struggling at the beginning to help others.

Through all of this, we have Helen Mollart, our Treasurer, keeping an eye on what we are doing with the generous donations we have received. She is not worried about pulling us back if anyone becomes a bit over-enthusiastic with trying to do something.

We started having donations given to the group and whether it is 10p or £1,000, every single penny is being used to help provide those who need help, with that service.

We have responded to over 2,000 calls asking for assistance but this is on the increase again as we endure another period of lock down.

The volunteers will be here for those who need that help.

Thank you, to every single one of the volunteers who has gone that extra mile to help someone in this community, and thank you for the support the residents and businesses have shown us.

Without it, this very much-needed community group would have closed. Wishing you a healthy and peaceful end to the year and may 2021 be far better than this past year.

Connie Davis,

Haslington Support Group