Community praised for Charnwood Community Action response

Organisations, volunteers and businesses from across the borough have been praised for supporting Charnwood Community Action.

The campaign was launched by Charnwood Borough Council in partnership with John Storer Charnwood to support, advise, guide and co-ordinate the borough-wide community effort during the coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign now involves community groups, volunteers, town and parish councils, the Bridge plus a host of businesses.

Since launching the campaign, around 630 people have registered as volunteers.

Cllr Deborah Taylor, lead member for communities said: “We’ve been really pleased with the response from individuals, groups and businesses offering to support Charnwood Community Action.
“Now that it’s extremely important for us to stay at home to help protect the NHS and save lives, we know many people in our communities will need help. I’d like to thank every individual, group and business who have already reached out and offered their support.
“If you or someone you know needs help then please let us know so we can continue to co-ordinate efforts in the borough.”
The Bridge, a charity which advises people on homelessness, is working with the campaign to support the co-ordination and delivery of food parcels to vulnerable people without any support networks or those experiencing financial difficulty.
Peter Davey, Chief Officer at The Bridge said: “It’s been fantastic to see how the community have come together during this difficult time. 
“The Bridge is proud to be supporting the efforts of the community and also working alongside other organisations to ensure we can help those most vulnerable in our communities.”
Local Facebook group, Loughborough Against Corona is assisting the community effort by co-ordinating volunteers to help deliver shopping and medical supplies to residents in Charnwood who are at an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus and are likely to be at home for a number of weeks.  
Craig Brown, who founded the group to organise local volunteers to support the community said: “We’ve already received a fantastic response from students and local residents who want to do what they can to support the community. 
“It’s been great to partner with the Council and John Storer Charnwood to ensure we can co-ordinate our efforts. If we can do even the smallest thing to make people’s lives easier during this time, I think we can look back on this situation in years to come with pride in the fact that we tried to do the right thing.”