REMEMBERING the old adage that if life gives you lemons you should make lemonade, Gemma Jones and her two sons have been busy making fresh lemonade to brighten up life for their friends and neighbours during the coronavirus crisis.

Gemma, who usually works in the kitchens at Okehampton College, is home with sons Luke, ten, and Ryan, 12. When she was given bags of surplus lemons and limes from Rebecca Green of Okehampton’s vegan cafe The Allotment Club, the trio got busy slicing lemons and boiling sugar and water. Meanwhile the boys’ dad Chris Smith designed the packaging for their bottles of fresh lemonade, which they are delivering as a free gift to all their neighbours confined to their homes.

When it came to fulfilling orders, Luke, putting on his cap, went off to be delivery boy — remembering all the rules about social distancing but giving his ‘customers’ a cheery greeting from a safe distance.

His mum said he’d really cheered people up.

‘We live near the rugby club in Okehampton and I’m currently looking after my elderly neighbours, doing bits and bobs for them and I thought they would appreciate some lemonade,’ she said.

‘We had four bags of lemons and limes and got started and it all spiralled from there. It has been fantastic because it has just given something for the boys to focus on and they have really loved it, slicing the lemons and boiling up the sugar and water.

‘Quite a few of the neighbours have had a bottle of refreshing lemonade from us and I have had friends messaging me for a bottle. We drop it on people’s doorsteps and ring the bell and go to the end of the driveway and wave from there.

‘My youngest son Luke has always loved dressing up and decided he’d be an Irish delivery boy complete with cap and Irish accent. He’s been dressing in his costume, doing a jig. People just love it, it has made such a difference.’

• We at the Times are amazed at what the brothers have done but we are sure there must be more families out there doing their bit for their neighbours and community. If anyone wants to share what they are or have been doing during self-isolation please contact [email protected]