Port volunteers set up community team effort to help others during coronavirus outbreak

In an incredible feat the grassroots Covid-19 Community Support - Port Glasgow mobilised more than 70 volunteers within a week.

They have split the town up into zones, with a team in every street handing out leaflets and coming to the aid of neighbours.

Their efforts have won the backing of businesses big and small as well as other community groups who have stepped in to help.

Organiser Lynn Foreman, of Mull Avenue, said: "It was my proudest moment to announce all our team leaders.

"These are people putting their own lives at risk to help others.

"We just want to help one another and the response we have had has been overwhelming.

"There is a real need and we have systems in place to collect prescriptions.

"We are also handing out food and we have storage facilities.

"We are doing everything we possibly can.

"We were donated gloves from a local photographer Phil Harvey to protect people so we are giving the supplies out to local shops, because we need them to stay open.

"We have delivered a load of fresh food to people too."

School admin support officer Lynn, who was also among the first to offer help to neighbours during the 2018 Beast from the East snowstorm, said she couldn't watch what was happening and felt she had to step in.

She said: "I was feeling stressed by it all - I wanted to do something before it overwhelmed me otherwise I was left worrying about my mum and my dad and everybody else.

"I had to do something."

Lynn, who leads the team serving Oronsay has circulated leaflets throughout her area with others doing the same.

Lynn, 39, added: "Credit must go to Don Brown, he came up with the plan for the streets and areas.

"He has worked for community learning and development so has made sure he co-ordinates with the council so they know who the volunteers are."

They would like to thanks Greggs in Port Glasgow and Argyle Street in Glasgow for donations plus Costa Coffee in Port Glasgow.

The group has also tied in with Belville Community Garden and Compassionate Inverclyde to make sure help gets where it is needed most.

Her fellow volunteer Don, a personal trainer and former boxer, said: "We don't want anyone in Port Glasgow to slip through the net.

"I thought of my elderly neighbour and I wanted to do something to help.

"We have had an amazing response.

"It was important that we didn't have volunteers trying to go from one part of the town to another - we had to localise it.

"People are getting in touch just to chat or to say thank-you.

"A lovely couple in their 80s contacted us to say thanks and that it was lovely to know people were there if they needed them.

"We can get through this together."

Many areas of Inverclyde are now following Port Glasgow's lead with similar set ups established in Kilmacolm and areas of Greenock.

*Anyone wishing to get in touch can visit the Covid-19 community support - Port Glasgow page on Facebook or use the contact in the leaflets put through their doors.