Hastings Emergency Action Response Team sees huge support from volunteers

Established by volunteers Kim Batty and Alastair Fairley, the Hastings Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) said it has now seen more than 1,000 people volunteer to help people with food shopping, collecting medicines, transport and even dog walking.

Launched just days before the Government’s lockdown announcement, the team’s 3,000-strong Facebook group now has its own website – www.hastingsheart.com – where people can sign up to volunteer, ask for help, or get information on takeaway deliveries, shops still operating, and other lifeline services.

HEART is now matching dozens of urgent requests for help with volunteers across the town. It is also working closely with Hastings Borough and East Sussex County Councils, the NHS, Hastings Voluntary Action, the foodbank and a host of other organisations as part of the ‘Community Hub’, streamlining support across the town as it copes with the coronavirus pandemic.

Alastair said: “HEART was set up because we knew people would need help. It has touched a nerve. The response from the community has been amazing.”

Call-outs have seen volunteers deliver urgent food supplies to an 80-year-old feeling ‘abandoned’ in a sheltered housing block, collect vital pharmacy medication for a blind pensioner, and reach out to dozens of elderly residents on GP lists to set up weekly food deliveries.

Kim said: “if people need help, or know someone who does, all they need to do is fill in a simple form on our website at www.hastingsheart.com. If they’re not online, or are elderly or vulnerable, they should call the council’s helpline on 01424 451019.

“We’re here to help. We’re doing everything we can to support people safely, and we’re working hard to make a difference.”

People can help HEART and dozens of charities and community organisations supporting people during the crisis by donating to the new Hastings Relief Fund crowdfunder appeal.

Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hastings-relief-fund.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.