Coronavirus crisis - Friday update

The emergency online appeal set up by the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group so it can continue providing a lifeline to vulnerable people during the crisis raised almost £1,000 within just 24 hours.

Launched late on Wednesday by co-ordinator Cat Meade on the Gofundme charity site with a target of £2,000, the appeal currently stands at over £1,100 and is still rising.

A delighted Cat said: “Let’s get another £1,000 to keep the support going.

“Money is supporting food packages, supplies, PPE equipment for volunteers - vital items to run the service etc.”

She added: “We’re also very pleased to see Home Bargains in the town limiting the number of customers and we would like to see all local shops follow their lead.”

* You can make a donation at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/llangollen-covid-19-support-group?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0YENQ0t613PD60Z-zaJgDm4smL4MYntALgiX40fAtbCQHPTs-x4pJHEQE

“A HUGE WELL DONE LLANGOLLEN.”

Earlier yesterday, Cat posted on Facebook: “The updated Support Group letter along with a information leaflet will be distributed by our fantastic posties on Friday. Thank you to Charlie at the Town Council for printing all 6,000 pages.

“PRESCRIPTIONS - Please ensure you have checked with the pharmacy that your medication is ready for collection, prior to making a request for delivery.

“NEWSPAPERS - Newsagents have put a temporary hold on any further requests, we will update on this next week.

“VOLUNTEERS - Huge thank you to all those helping daily, lots of jobs to delegate in 24hrs, they all jump to the task and do so kindly.

“DONATIONS - Co-op Llangollen have donated a huge amount of bread. Thank you.

“Local resident has kindly donated 100 pouches of Felix sensations cat food pouches, if your cat could benefit please contact our volunteer Pip Waller on here or call 07973 480097 to arrange (max 5 per cat).

“Dee Valley Fruit & Veg have had another busy day delivering to residents, volunteers are now on board to assist with demand. NOTE - orders after Thursday will be out for delivery Mon/Tues next week, the team are working 12hr days to keep up with demand.

“FOOD BANK - 07710 789854. Open 2-2.30pm Mon, Weds, Fri & Sun. Please DO NOT go without food.

“REMINDER - please only take assistance from a volunteer registered with the support group, if you are unsure call the support line on 01978 861366.

“Great sign on the bridge.”

* The message now being displayed on the electronic board by the bridge.
Picture by Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group.

On a jarring note, help group volunteer Paula Lingard put out the following message yesterday: “We have some lovely youngsters in Llangollen and surrounding areas who have been extremely helpful to the old and vulnerable and we applaud you.

“BUT please be aware that it has been known that there are a group of youngsters offering their help and pocketing the money.

"BE VIGILANT. ONLY ACCEPT HELP FROM SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND TRUST OR FROM OUR HELPLINE SUPPORT NUMBERS OR EMAIL.”

Volunteers at Zero Food Waste and Food Share Llangollen put out their own message on Facebook: “We are now OPEN 2pm - 2.30pm at Pengwern Community Centre every Monday, Wednesday,  Friday and Sunday.

“We are here to help everyone who is struggling and we understand that the current crisis has put many more people in financial difficulty. 

“We have enough supplies to support everyone in need. Please point people in our direction if they are struggling, including over 70s, people in isolation and anyone who is vulnerable, or contact us on their behalf.

“You can message us using the message button on our Facebook page or phone us on 07710 789 854.  We will respond as soon as we can.  Please be patient, we are run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

“However, we ask that you only use our services if you need to: if you can afford to buy food but can't get to the shops there are delivery services and volunteers available to support you: visit the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Page and see the Coronavirus Newsletter for phone numbers.

“Please message or phone us in advance before 2pm on our opening days if you would like to collect a food parcel during our opening times for yourself or someone in need.  Let us know how many adults and children it is for, and how long it needs to last.

“Social distancing applies when collecting from Pengwern Community Centre.

“If you are unable to collect, and no-one can collect for you, volunteers can deliver to your home.  Please phone or message us before 2pm on our opening days for delivery that day. 

"Calls and messages after that will not be delivered until our next opening day.  Delivery volunteers will drop your parcel outside your door, knock or ring the bell, and step away a few metres.

“Please help us to support you safely and effectively by following the above guidance. Best wishes to our phenomenal Llangollen Family, we are proud to support you through these tough times.”

Dee Valley Produce said in a Facebook message yesterday: “Had a very busy day we are all still here prepping orders for tomorrow, so we won’t be responding to anymore messages on Facebook until tomorrow evening sorry.

“Orders placed after today will likely not go out until Monday/Tuesday.

“I want to thank all the volunteers for helping us get orders together and sent out but I’d like to thank Rhian the most who has come in and worked 12 hours plus with me most of last week and this week including coming in on her day off! Not all super heroes wear cloaks. #employeeofthecentury.”

Denbighshire County Council has put out an urgent call for people wishing to offer their time to volunteer during the current pandemic to get in touch.

The council says it has been heartened by the voluntary action and community spirit being shown throughout the county, and is already seeing online groups forming on Facebook in addition to existing local volunteer groups and third sector organisations.

Now the council is working with Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council to co-ordinate requests.

People who are fit and healthy and wish to volunteer are encouraged to register at www.dvsc.co.uk, via e-mail: covid19@dvsc.co.uk, or call Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council direct on 01824 702441.

Third Sector and voluntary organisations are also encouraged to register at www.dvsc.co.uk, email covid19@dvsc.co.uk through the same contact details.  DVSC can link you with volunteers to help deliver the support you’re offering.

Visiting at all North Wales hospitals has been suspended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Visiting patients who are not infected with COVID-19 will only be permitted in the following circumstances:

• One parent or guardian for paediatric (Children’s Ward) inpatients and neonatal wards;

• One visitor at a time for an agreed amount of time to patients receiving end of life care. Permission from the ward sister or charge nurse must be obtained in advance

• One birthing partner from the same household to support a woman in labour will be permitted

See full restrictions here: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/news/health-board-news/visiting-suspended-across-all-north-wales-hospitals/

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board sentout a message to potential volunteers, which says: “If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email to BCUHB.PublicVolunteers@wales.nhs.uk.

“Please include your full name, telephone number, e-mail address and the nearest hospital to you along with a brief description of skills and experience.”

The Canal and River Trust posted about the use of the Llangollen Canal and other inland waterways during the coronavirus crisis. This says:

Llangollen Practice said yesterday on its Facebook page: “We are getting lots of queries from patients regarding whether they will be receiving a ‘shielding’ letter as announced by the government. These letters are coming direct from NHS Wales and not from the practice and are being sent to patients who fall into very specific categories. You can find out more information by following this link: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/how-to-protect-extremely-vulnerable-people-shielding/