Community plan in place for Rasen area as coronavirus rages on

A community action plan has been implemented in Market Rasen in a bid to support the elderly and those that are self-isolating due to the coronavirus.

Market Rasen Action Group (MRAG) is working alongside Market Rasen Town Council to ensure that residents’ needs are met.

The document addressed to residents in and around Market Rasen reads: “We (MRAG) are a group of volunteers who work to help residents and our town.

“We have put a plan in place to ease the worry for you during the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

“We want to reassure you that help is available, should you have to self-isolate yourselves whether you are elderly, disabled or vulnerable to contracting the Covid-19 virus.

“We can provide you with some basic essentials that you may need, offer to collect prescriptions, pick up a newspaper, do your shopping for you (payment on delivery and a receipt will be provided) or offer a friendly chat if you feel alone or worried.

“We have all seen how some people are panic buying which is leaving shop shelves very bare, and the last thing you need to worry about is walking to the shops to find items not in stock.

“We have town councillors on our committee (June Clark, Nicola Brooksbank and Deputy Mayor Stephen Bunney) along with Julie Lambie (chairperson of MRAG), Sara Winter and Yvonne Horrocks.

“We want above all for you not to worry, we are here to help you. We have also contacted Acis Housing and Sanctuary Housing, plus the doctors and Boots.

“Should you need help call Julie Lambie (01673 844848 or 07853 216461); June Clark (01673 844127); Sara Winter (07541 769017) or Stephen Bunney (07506 188570).

Ms Lambie said: “We’re a group of volunteers willing to help with any shopping or collecting prescriptions, to save the elderly and vulnerable who are going to struggle to get out.”

She added she had printed flyers - with contact details for the service - and these were being distributed around the town.

Market Rasen Mayor John Matthews said: “The town 
council, supported by Tesco, is organising a food-bank this week to help any household who is unable to go shopping due to the coronavirus outbreak.”

The Rasen Mail contacted the Tesco press office for a statement regarding the coronavirus response in Market Rasen.

A spokesman said: “There is not much we can really say on this at the moment but stores are looking at ways they can support their local communities.

“ Our Community Food Connection scheme is still running which sees excess food in the stores donated to local charities and community groups to help those who need it most.”

Several businesses in the town are also supporting the community plan by offering a home delivery service.

Rose and Berries, in Queen Street said: “We have extended our already free delivery service to the local community to help through this difficult time.”

Call 07707 068391 or search for Rose and Berries on Facebook to find out more.

The Green Life Pantry, also in Queen Street, said: “In reply to the current developing situation with Covid-19, we will be fully supporting MRAG’s plea to help the vulnerable in our area.

“We do not want any of our community to feel alone or desperate, we will all pull together and help anyone that needs it.

“We’ll also be taking a list of names and numbers for those that would like to volunteer or those that are going to self isolate and may need a delivery. We all have to stick together.”

In a statement on Facebook, Market Rasen PET Centre said: “We can deliver your goods and we are also prepared to open up out of hours for anyone 
concerned about coming into contact with too many people.

“Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01673 844711. Caring for your pets is what we do best.”

The action plan document contains other businesses in the town who are offering home delivery services including:

• Lancaster Butchers (01673 843440)

•Nice and Naughty Bistro (01673 308073/07912 789745)

• Ken Briggs Ltd (01673 843370).

MRAG is appealing for donations of items including pasta, cleaning products, dried food and baby products. Donations - which will be distributed to the vulnerable - can be dropped off at Nice and Naughty Bistro and The Green Life 
Pantry.

*To find out more, search for Market Rasen Action Group on Facebook.