'Fantastic' effort shown by volunteers during coronavirus pandemic

IN the last seven weeks the volunteer Seaton Coronavirus Community Group has assisted residents more than 3,200 times with acts of kindness.

These have ranged from assisting with shopping, postal and prescription requirements, dealing with email, telephone and text enquiries, delivering informative and helpful leaflets and booklets keeping the community informed, miscellaneous assistance such as cooking and DIY, calling vulnerable members of the community for a friendly chat - a fantastic effort by all involved.

Responding to a request from a local care home resident, the community group rallied together to take book donations from Seaton and District Lions Club, The Gateway Theatre and volunteers, and distributed more than 150 books to various care and residential homes in the area.

The group has recently been awarded grant funding from the COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund, a joint grants scheme from East Devon District Council and Devon County Council, along with an award from Tesco Bags of Help.

The organisers wish to thank all those making contributions for their support.

Despite the current restrictions in place, the community showed a great spirit to commemorate and celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day with some amazing stay-at-home street parties.

The Seaton VE Day 2020 group, working with Seaton Town Council, placed flags and bunting around the town centre and arranged a competition for the best dressed stay-at home party. The group would like to thank all those that participated and congratulate the winners.

In an extraordinary act of kindness, Ragini restaurant in Seaton ran a VE Day special meal offer with all proceeds from the first 75 meals being donated to the local food bank.

The secretary of Seaton Foodbank, Carol Plunkett, commented: "On behalf of Seaton Foodbank, I am writing to thank Ragini so very much for your amazingly, generous donation of £750.

"During this time, serving many more people than usual, because of the extra difficulties they are facing because of the COVID-19 outbreak; we have been touched by the support of the people of Seaton and the surrounding villages who have partnered with us, ensuring that no person in need goes without food.

"Your donation will enable us to ensure that no household on low income, experiencing food poverty in Seaton and district is left without the means to provide meals for themselves and their household."

Seaton Food Bank can be contacted on 07598 927 997.