Shops and individuals on the peninsula are pulling together to help the more vulnerable in our community, who may be required to go into isolation due to the spread of Covid-19.

Prime minister Boris Johnson announced this afternoon those with underlying medical problems and the over 70s should be shielded from social contact for 12 weeks.

Fifteen more people have died from the virus, bringing deaths in the UK to 36 as of this afternoon, and social distancing is expected to be brought in very soon.

Shotley's Premier Store, Hollingsworth's in Chelmondiston, the Co-ops at Brantham and Holbrook and the Stutton Community Shop are all offering a free delivery service to residents.

The current crisis has seen a rise of younger people volunteering, to support the many regular volunteers that may be susceptible to the Coronavirus, due to their age or underlying medical issues.

Jenny Morris, Stutton Community Shop committee member, said: "We have had extra people coming forward to help in any way they can.

"It may be that they work from home, or in one case a person had their holiday cancelled and decided to stay off work anyway and come in to help us.

"We have a range of volunteers, either through Stutton Network or the Community Shop and we already deliver to Oak House Care Home, and we will happily extend that service to need groceries of their repeat prescriptions picked up."

Due to the possible spread of infection the café at Stutton shop, is no longer self-service and volunteers had stepped up to serve,to make it safer by helping to prevent any spread of the virus.

Individuals throughput the peninsula are also chipping in by offering to pick up shopping, post mail, get urgent supplies, or simply chat on the phone, all at no charge.

A #viralkindness flyer is being used, giving the volunteer's name and details and area they are happy to help with to let them know of their willingness to help.

Let us know what you, or your organisation are doing to support the community. Or, if you have benefitted from someone's kindness and would like to thank them, contact [email protected]

Public Health England guidance should be read and followed. If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus or have returned from an affected area identified by the Chief Medical Officer as high risk and you are feeling unwell with a cough, difficulty breathing or fever, stay at home and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111. It is everybody's responsibility to follow Government guidelines regarding self-isolation, please click Covid-19 ADVICE to see the most up to date official guidance.