Coronavirus: Bovingdon Co-op delivering food to elderly in self-isolation

The shop in Bovingdon began to take orders over the phone two weeks ago in response to the Government's announcement earlier this month that over-70s should self-isolate.

It also said pregnant women, those with pre-existing medical conditions and others in the vulnerable category should stay at home.

Store manager Debbie Hills and her staff knew the Bovingdon area had a large proportion of elderly who would struggle to get food.

The staff at Co-op. Credit: Bovingdon Co-op.

Ms Hills said: "We have a lot of elderly customers from the area and we get a lot regulars.

"Me and my staff thought a lot of these people need to stay at home and don't have the family close by to help them.

"The best thing for us to do is to make sure they have food."

Ms Hills said the shop manages to carry out more than 20 deliveries a day and has more than 30 volunteers from the community who are willing to distribute orders.

Co-op manager Debbie Hills. Credit: Bovingdon Co-op.

She added: "I'm astonished with what we're doing because we're only a small shop and we have nine staff members.

"Everybody has been so good and nice and has said how fantastic the deliveries have been.

"People have said how grateful they are, this is why we did it, to help people in village who we knew would struggle."

The delivery service is only available to people who are self-isolating in the Bovingdon area. To volunteer or to order call the shop on 01442 833273