Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group keeps essential village shops manned and open

Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group are helping keep the community spirit alive and the essential shops in the village – pharmacy and Post Office – manned and open.

Just a few weeks ago when the government announced that we were all to remain indoors and self-isolate, Jo Hutchinson and her husband Steve decided that they must do something to help those people in their community who were housebound.

The Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group was formed and just the few days since has managed to recruit nearly 100 volunteers who have been split into areas throughout the village.

Steve Hutchinson said: “Both Jo and I have been blown away by the support that we’ve had from our village community. We’ve managed to help many people already, but we know it’s likely that more and more people will need support over the coming weeks.

“We want to raise awareness of the Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group and how we can offer the services we’ve started to those who need them when they want help.”

Jo Hutchinson added: “Thanks to Russell Gadsby who runs local company Spirotech, safety screens for the staff have been installed at the pharmacy and at the Post Office.

“The Post Office had already made the decision to close, so I went down to see the postmaster to ask him what he needed to keep the place open?

“Obviously he wasn’t prepared to take any risks with the health of his staff, which how the idea of the screens came about – and within days they were up, the staff were safe and the Post Office re-open.

“This means the two most vital shops have been able to remain open to serve the community when we need them the most.

“Without those screens they would’ve had to shut and that would’ve been a disaster for many people, especially the elderly, in the village.”

Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group are appealing to more local businesses and individuals in the area who have means for some funding to help with the work that they have already begun.

Jo Hutchinson said: “If we can get some funding then it will allow the group to provide vital goods, food and essentials for those who cannot afford them.

“As the weeks go by, it’s becoming more and more obvious that people are struggling financially as well as physically and psychologically.

“This is a time when communities need to come together to do things for each other. We can beat this, but we need a little help – all of us – along the way to get through.”

Sawtry COVID-19 Support Group can be contacted through Steve and Jo Hutchinson by Mobile: 07766 780449 or Email: [email protected]