Hampstead Volunteer Corps (HVC) has given 24 tablets and iPads to intensive care patients at the Royal Free Hospital as part of its latest donation drive.
The community action group set up by four Hampstead Village residents has exploded since it started in mid-March, signing up more than 700 volunteers.
Its extensive reach in NW3 has seen it provide 47 food parcels and 140 meals for local families, and 18 boxes of snacks and toiletries for Royal Free staff.
Kate Guy, HVC co-founder, said: “Seeing the neighbourhood mobilise in this time of crisis is one of the only bright spots I can see out of coronavirus.
“Knowing our volunteers are tangibly helping people who have otherwise fallen through the cracks is the big thing.
“We all know that there are people around us with need and it’s in times like these that we really have to quickly try and help those people - and I think our volunteers have really done that.
“It’s been really good to have the word out there that people can contact us if they need something because we’re getting a pretty steady stream of people that need help.”
Elderly residents at Henderson Court and the homeless staying at the Britannia Hotel have received ten donation boxes from HVC.
Its helpers have been divided into local teams based on postcode, and are completing errands such as grocery shopping, dog walking and prescription pick-ups.
Among its network of volunteers is a 16-year-old from Frognal Lane who has been delivering fresh fruit to isolated nuns.
Hampstead councillor Oliver Cooper, who has volunteered for HVC, said: “It’s wonderful what the Hampstead Volunteer Corps has been able to do: building an organisation up from scratch that is helping hundreds of residents who are at higher risk by doing errands that allow them to stay home to save lives.”
HVC is hosting weekly collections on Saturdays from 10am-5pm at Hampstead Community Centre in Hampstead High Street.
It is asking for donations including toiletries, non-perishable food, board games and iPads.
For more information visit www.hampsteadvolunteers.co.uk or email hampsteadvolunteers@gmail.com
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