News Maidstone Rotary Clubs deliver for Community Hub
Maidstone Community Hub set up by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has now been running for a month providing help to hundreds of residents most in need across the borough, which could not have achieved without the help of many local volunteers.
The Community Hub was created within days of the Coronavirus lockdown by the Council and is made up of different teams working virtually and physically. They are providing food and medicine for the shielded and vulnerable people in our communities as well as tackling social isolation.
One particular group that has been delivering parcels of aid are the Maidstone Rotary Clubs who have been assisting by collecting boxes of food and medicines and delivering them to people’s homes.
The Rotary Club volunteers have helped make more than 600 food parcel deliveries to residents in urgent need and are now also picking up and delivering from pharmacies.
Since the Hub opened on 25 March it has received more than 1200 requests for help
Paul Wray, President of Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club said:
“It has been an absolute privilege to be able to help Maidstone Borough Council and our community by playing our part in the emergency situation we find ourselves in.“We have now been delivering for one month, after starting on Friday 27 March and there continues to be strong support to perform this role. Indeed when Cllr Martin Cox asked me if Rotary could help, I immediately agreed and formed a team of helpers within 24 hours which grew over the following week.
“Rotary has for many years helped and supported local communities. The only reward we seek is recognition to drive us in continuing this service plus hopefully attracting new members.
“We are proud to also be helping the NHS with marshalling at the Covid Assessment Centre which was at Mote Park but is now relocated to Barming.”
Rotary Club Member and Leader of MBC - Cllr Martin Cox added:
“We have been overwhelmed at the offers of help from many volunteers, community groups, charities, Councillors and Parish Councils. We are truly appreciative of all the support for the Community Hub. As a fellow Rotary Club member I knew if I called on them for help with deliveries they would step up to the challenge. Thank you so much to them all and the many other offers of help we have received across the borough.”
The Maidstone Borough Council Community Hub has a specific focus on providing access to food, medicines and other supplies and is open Monday to Thursday between 8.30am and 5pm and Friday 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Those who need help from the Maidstone Borough Council Community Support Hub should call freephone: Community Hub Freephone 0300 303 1650 or visit the website at: www.maidstone.gov.uk/covidsupport