A MAN whose elderly parents have not been able to get a supermarket delivery since the lockdown started is calling for a new approach to identifying and supplying groceries to vulnerable people.

He is also appealing to able-bodied people who can get to the shops to leave delivery slots for people who cannot.

The man’s 96 year-old father, a decorated second world war veteran who ran the Russian convoy route, looks after his bedbound 94 year-old mother at their home near Catterick, with the help of carers.

For years his father has phoned in their grocery order to Sainsbury’s, but since the lockdown started has been unable to get through.

Despite frantic efforts by his son, 65, who lives near Bridlington and cannot travel because his wife is on the Government-shielded list they have been unable to organise an order.

He has even struggled to get a delivery for themselves despite contacting Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, eventually managing just one delivery from Tesco.

His father has had boxes of necessities delivered through the authorities but as a keen cook he is desperate to be able to shop for himself and his wife.

His son said: “We are lucky to have good friends who have helped us.

“My mum and, dad have seen the passing of their friends and out-lived everyone.

“They are a generation who never got into the online world which further isolates and disadvantages them.

“They are able to access boxes of “necessities” which they are very grateful for, but they are someone else’s opinion of what’s necessary.

“My mother has few pleasures but retains a good appetite and my dad’s main pleasure and daily occupation is cooking for her, he is amazing.

“A tin of beans, bread, cereals and fruit are very welcome and mean they don’t starve, but no one knows how long this situation will continue and they are not getting out of lockdown in the foreseeable future.

“The identification and, supply of groceries to vulnerable people needs to be much better.

“Assuming everyone can sort things online is a false assumption.

“The system of first come first served has made the procurement of groceries for people who are most at risk of dying if they go out extremely stressful.

“There must be other people in need, slipping through a net which has many holes that need fixing and fast.

“Highlighting this may encourage people who are able to go to the shops, to do so and leave the slots for more vulnerable people who are not able to leave their homes.”

Sainsbury’s did not respond to requests for a comment.