Praise has been given to the ‘amazing acts of kindness’ by people in Hartlepool in light of the coronavirus outbreak- with calls made for others to come forward and share their stories.

Numerous steps have been taken in Hartlepool to date to help to support residents in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This includes the launch of the Hartlepool Support Hub, which has now received more than 2,500 calls and delivered around 350 food parcels and 300 prescriptions to people across the borough.

The network is to help anyone in Hartlepool who is self-isolating or otherwise unable to leave their home during the coronavirus outbreak.

Praise has also been given to the Hartlepool Foodbank, which has supplied the hub with food parcels.

Council leader Coun Shane Moore has paid tribute to the continued work of everyone involved with the support hub, but has also noted there have been many ‘amazing acts of kindness’ in the town in recent weeks.

He said: “I make no secret of the fact that I’m really proud to come from Hartlepool, for many reasons obviously, but mainly because I know in times of need we all come together and support each other.

“That’s been particularly evident to me over the past couple of weeks and for that I really wanted to again say thank you to the people of Hartlepool.

“Each and every one of us has a direct part to play in stopping the spread of this disease and we must join together to do it.

“I also wanted to place on record our thanks to Hartlepool Foodbank who have supplied us with all of the food parcels to date. Their support has been amazing and it really is hugely appreciated.”

Coun Moore also called on people to come forward and celebrate examples of kindness they have witnessed and spread the positivity in the town.

He said: “I know many other random acts of kindness are being carried out by people of all walks of life.

“You may be aware of someone who’s provided essential shopping to a neighbour who can’t get out, or maybe you know someone who just sent a positive message or picked up the phone to say hello to somebody who’s living alone.

“These may just be small actions but make a really big difference to some people who need it so let’s share and celebrate some of the great examples of kindness that I know are happening right across Hartlepool right now.”

The Hartlepool Support Hub offers information and advice, emotional support, delivery of shopping, newspapers and prescriptions and links to other support services.

To contact, email helping@hartlepool.gov.uk or call 01429 272905 (10am-4pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am-noon Saturdays).