CREDITON Hospital, Age Concern Crediton and Crediton Foodbank have had to drastically adjust to the current situation whilst still providing an outlet and services for the local community.

In recognition of their tremendous efforts, the customers and colleagues from the Crediton Wellparks Tesco store have been making donations to the three local organisations that have been pivotal in looking out and caring for the vulnerable and those in need of a hand in the Crediton area.

The collection, set up towards the start of the lockdown period, saw the generosity of local residents, yet again rise to the fore as a little over £600 found its way into the buckets with each group receiving £201.50 to help them in their efforts to help others.

The money raised for Crediton Hospital will be used to improve facilities and equipment to benefit patient care and some will also be used to help improve the hospitals “Well-Being Garden”.

Claire Sprague, on behalf of the staff at the hospital said: “We would like to thank the customers and staff at the store.

“Your kindness to our hard working staff at this most difficult time raised our spirits just when we needed a boost. Acts of kindness such as this mean a great deal to our staff and will be remembered.”

The hospital was also presented with a “Thank You” board with messages written by customers, which will be put on display at the hospital.

The money donated to Age Concern Crediton will be put towards the organisations new “Meals on Wheels” initiative, providing a weekly hot meal for elderly residents of Crediton and the surrounding area.

Michael Coleman, Chairman of Age Concern Crediton, responded to the donation by stating: “This is very generous of Tesco customers and staff.

“We already know that the elderly clients that we are supporting in Crediton and the surrounding villages are very much looking forward to the fresh hot food that we shall be delivering to them when this service begins. Not only will it provide them with a fresh meal every week, but it will undoubtedly be an important boost to their morale in this crisis.

“As our clients are amongst the most vulnerable in the community, they are the ones least likely to be able to benefit from the easing of the lockdown, as few of them will be willing or able to leave their homes for the foreseeable future.

“In those circumstances, the services that our charity is providing are vital and we very much appreciate the strong backing being provided by Tesco and its customers.”

The “Meals on Wheels” scheme kicked off on Tuesday, June 16 and it is hoped that it will run until conditions have eased enough that the elderly and vulnerable can again join in fully with the community.

The donation received by Crediton Foodbank will contribute towards providing food parcels for families and individuals in the area that need a little helping hand.

The Foodbank has seen a massive increase in the need for its service already this year and as the economic impact of the pandemic starts to bite there is a very real threat that yet more and more of our local community will need support.

Crediton Foodbank co-ordinator, Chris Parsons, added her appreciation of the donations raised: “With the additional difficulties brought about by the Covid-19 situation, we have not only been busier than ever before but, as many others have had to, we’ve also had to change the way we operate to allow us to keep going.”

Chris continued: “To receive donations such as this, and knowing that it has been raised by local people for local people, is such a tonic. Every penny raised will go directly to feed families and individuals in need.

“As well as the very generous customers and staff down at Tesco, I’d also like to thank the team of volunteers from the Foodbank who have adapted to the new procedures and workload magnificently.

“That they give up their time to help us help others means such a great deal and allows us to use donations such as this one exactly where it is required.”

Emily Conner, Services Manager at the store, commented on the donations and their impact within the Crediton community: “With the almost overwhelming restrictions that the lockdown brought with it, the community work which we are so proud to deliver had to be almost completely curtailed as the many events and activities that we would have normally supported were cancelled.”

She continued: “We looked at what community work was still functioning and how we could help out. Yet again our customers and colleagues proved that Crediton residents look out for others that need a hand, not only with their generosity but also their wonderful and heartfelt messages on our ‘NHS Thank You’ board.”

She finished by adding: “We will be continuing to work with and support all of these groups wherever we can as we ease ourselves back, hopefully, towards more normal community support.”

A display of current Crediton Foodbank needs can be seen on entering the Wellparks Tesco store.

Items that have been requested can then be deposited in the permanent collection box on the way out of the store.

You can see the community work that is being done at the store by searching Facebook for “Crediton Community Champion” and provide “likes” and “Follows” so that the page can grow and, again, become part of the vibrant Crediton Facebook community.