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Here to Help Group – June 2020

The Executive has advised today that vulnerable people in Northern Ireland who were shielding during the coronavirus lockdown can now go outdoors and this, together with the relaxation of the lockdown rules, means that the Here to Help Group can stand down.  This will take effect from 14th June.  Assistance will of course continue up to and including that date.

During their three months of operation the Group has carried out close on 900 tasks – collecting groceries and prescriptions and distributing packs of non-perishable food and other items to those most in need.  All in all a tremendous achievement made possible by them giving so freely of their time.  Thanks also to Ards & North Down Borough Council, the Community Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Rotary Club of Donaghadee and the many individuals and local traders for their financial and other contributions.

Should the situation change and we face a second lockdown, the volunteers have expressed a willingness to pick up where they have left off.  In the meantime the Association, on behalf of all sections of the community expresses its sincere appreciation and thanks to the Group for providing this much needed service.

May 2020 – Update

The Here to Help Group, which is supported by the Community Development Association, was delighted to receive funding from the Rotary Club of Donaghadee enabling it to purchase a supply of hand sanitiser for volunteers and also several Care Packages for those members of the local community in greatest need.  Pamela Skey, Team Leader of the Group, is pictured here accepting the purchases from John Hennessy, President of the Rotary Club.  Thanking the Rotary Club for its generosity, Pamela explained that the Group operates on an entirely voluntary basis and in the space of 8 weeks had carried out over 600 tasks for the elderly, the vulnerable, those with significant health conditions, those self isolating and for those in financial difficulty.  Aside from funding from the Rotary Club, grants have also been secured from the Community Foundation, Ards & North Down Borough Council, The National Lottery Community Fund, and various donations from local traders and the community.  It is fair to say that this funding is making a huge difference to the lives of many in our local community and we thank everyone for their support.

April 2020 – update

Donaghadee’s willing band of volunteers are being kept very busy.  During April they have carried out just under 300 tasks such as collecting shopping collecting prescriptions and delivering care packages.  This is all being done in their spare time and is totally voluntary.  The scheme was given a very welcome boost in the past week with a grant of £1,000 from Ards and North Down Borough Council.  This will help meet the cost of care packages and ppe for the volunteers.

If you need help or assistance please give one of the volunteers a call.  If you would like to volunteer or make a donation contact Pamela Skey on 077 3940 7006.  Any assistance will be much appreciated.

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