Volunteers: ‘Everyone wants to help’

An army of volunteers has signed up for a new isolation assistance service bringing groceries and other necessities to vulnerable people in Cork as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

The service focuses on anyone especially vulnerable to the new virus, such as people over the age of 60 and people with underlying health issues or weak immune systems.

To avail of the service, users can confidentially text their address and their shopping list to 083-4820476. Their request will then be submitted to a group of local volunteers.

A full address will only be submitted to the volunteer who will carry out the delivery.

A package and receipt will be dropped to the service user’s door and payment can be completed via letterbox if necessary.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, co-founder of the initiative, Rachael Sherlock, said that she was extremely moved by the response the service has received so far.

“The idea was formed on Sunday afternoon. We didn't expect it to explode the way it did. Everyone wants to help. We figured there must be so many people around us that don't have somebody to look after them,” said Ms Sherlock.

Since creating the group on Facebook, more than 120 volunteers from all over the city have offered their assistance.

Ms Sherlock continued: “We now have 144 volunteers and we need to get word out to the people who need the service. Everyone is in the same boat. We don't want them to feel isolated and helpless, especially with the shops being so crazy.”

Ms Sherlock is confident that the volunteer shopping service will be able to continue for as long as it’s needed.

“No one knows how long this isolation period is going to last, so it's important that we have enough volunteers to keep it going,” she concluded.

Anyone in need of the service can text their shopping list to 083-4820476