Melton pub landlady delivers vital supplies to vulnerable and struggling people

A donation of groceries is handed over by a staff member at Melton's Morrisons supermarket EMN-200518-184812001

A Melton pub landlady is leading an initiative delivering food and other vital supplies to elderly people, those who are shielding at home due to being vulnerable to contracting Covid-19 and others who are struggling financially as a result of not being able to work during the current lockdown.

Sharon Brown wanted to help the community when she had to temporarily close The Grapes, on Market Place, in March, as part of the government’s restrictions to limit the spread of the virus.

So she set about drumming up donations of food and other important items, such as toilet rolls, and her team of volunteers now drops supplies off to around 50 people in Melton and Asfordby.

An online fundraising page has so far generated £350 and town supermarket, Morrisons, donate boxes of food on a weekly basis.

Sharon Brown and Dianne Dale make a delivery to someone vulnerable or struggling in the Melton area as part of their special lockdown community mission EMN-200518-184801001

Sharon said: “Due to the pub being shut we’ve joined in with helping the isolated.

“We focus on the elderly, people who are shielding, people who have been affected from having no work and others who are self-employed but waiting for their grant money to come through.

“We really have helped vulnerable people who would otherwise have been forced out into the community to buy food when they’ve been told to shield.”

Sharon is assisted by Diane Dale and John Batty to collect food donations with Matt Buckley helping to collect supplies in his van.

Some of the donated food and supplies delivered by Sharon Brown and her volunteers EMN-200518-184751001

Many of the regulars at The Grapes have donated money, as well as local residents and Melton Lions.

Sharon added: “It’s been sad at times to listen to some of the stories people tell us but we’ve definitely helped, even if it is just to have a quick chat at a social distance.

“We collect seven days a week and go out three days a week delivering unless an emergency comes up.

“The community has been fabulous and deserve a mention for all pulling together and donating like they have.

“It has all gone beyond what we’d imagined it would.”

Go online at www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-isolated-melton-and-borough to donate money to the fund to help the efforts of Sharon and her team.