NEW community groups in Largs, Fairlie, and West Kilbride have been battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new map of Largs has been produced to help volunteers and support teams get food and essential medicines and supplies to every resident.

Community groups throughout the district say they are ready to serve after lockdown was announced.

Largs Help at Hand organiser Cathy Hughes says she has been heartened by how the community has come together in such desperate times - and says that the town 'will come out the other side'.

Cathy said: "The important message we want to get out to the community is that we have every area covered. We are here for you, especially the elderly and vulnerable in Largs.

"We are working under the umbrella of North Ayrshire Council and with other agencies. This is a united approach.

"We have created a map of Largs and it is split into individual areas. We are very grateful to Nicolson Maps for all their assistance in this.

"We have 30 areas and what is encouraging is that we have people willing to cover the whole of Largs.

"The response from the public to our Help at Hand movement has been phenomenal."

Explaining the volunteering role, Cathy said: "Each area is going to have a leader who is in a WhatsApp group linked to me.

"There has to be no face to face contact and we are also telling volunteers if they see anything out of the ordinary to pop cards through doors asking if there is anything we can help people with.

"The leaflets all have contact numbers with help for everything from someone needing their dog walked to sorting out any electricity or plumbing jobs.

"It is also about having a chat in the morning - a check-in.

"It is providing peace of mind for mental wellbeing and friendship."

The Safer Fairlie group has also been formed and a leaflet drop made round the village.

Cllr. Alan Hill, who is helping to co-ordinate the campaign, said: "A volunteer is allocated to cover each street, or part of a street in the area.

"Our volunteers are all willing to deal with running errands, collecting shopping, arranging for food to be prepared or delivered if residents are ill, collect prescriptions."

For the Millport support group, go here

And anyone wishing to volunteer or requires help in West Kilbride should contact Fi Thorburn on 07903 404224.

* NAC community support is open for concerns about health & well-being, money and food relating to COVID-19 - call 01475 673309 or 079707876444.