A DONATION of £2,000 has been given to local charity YelverCare which it intends to make available to individuals or families suffering hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, YelverCare has experienced a massive surge in demand.

As well as supporting clients who were already using its services, it is now regularly collecting prescriptions and shopping for 134 new clients. It has also arranged frequent telephone chats with 62 clients who live alone and the easing of lockdown allows it to start socially distanced meetings with those clients.

Randall Williams, secretary of YelverCare, said: ‘Through the generosity of the Maristow Trust, YelverCare has received the sum of £2,000 which is to be used to help those who are suffering particular hardship as a result of the Covid-19 epidemic.

‘It will be used to make available a number of grants to individuals or families who are in particular need. Constraints on the charity mean that these will only be available to those who live in Yelverton or elsewhere in Buckland Monachorum or Burrator parishes.’

Rather than inviting applications directly, YelverCare is asking friends or neighbours of anyone who needs support to nominate the individual or family. Nominations will be completely confidential and will be seen only by the three people on the assessment panel. To make a nominatio n, request a nomination form either by leaving a message on the contact form on the YelverCare website https://www.yelvertoncommunityprojects.org or by calling 01822 859167. Nominations must be received by June 30.

Randall added: ‘YelverCare is hugely grateful to the many new volunteers who have offered their services since the start of the epidemic.’