Coronavirus: Age UK makes urgent appeal for food to deliver to those in need in Brighton and West Sussex

The charity is collecting items, which it will deliver to people’s doorsteps to help ensure they have the provisions they need to stay healthy during this difficult time. Collection points are in Brighton and Hove, Crawley, Haywards Heath and Bognor Regis.

As well as delivering groceries and medication, the charity is also providing knitting kits, CDs/DVDs, books and jigsaws to stave off boredom. Tinned food, long life milk, bread, toilet roll and cleaning products are most in demand.

Helen Rice, Chief Executive at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove said: “I know shopping is difficult at the moment, but we’re asking anyone who can spare anything to drop it at our centres.

“We’re working with isolated, lonely and sometimes frightened older people, many of whom don’t have family or friends to rely on. We’re determined to be there for them but we need the public to get behind us every step of the way.”

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove said: “It’s been amazing to see how quickly Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove has adapted to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19. The scale of need is without precedent and rapidly changing. We need to celebrate and support their work to ensure they can continue reaching isolated and vulnerable older people with essential help. Age UK is their lifeline and needed more now than ever before.”

Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove has quickly adapted the way it works in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as the doorstep deliveries, the charity is offering information and advice, emergency welfare and safety support to the most vulnerable, telephone befriending and wellbeing advice.

Age UK West Sussex and Age UK Brighton and Hove merged in July 2019. Last year the charities helped over 15,000 older people, tackling a range of issues like poverty, social care and loneliness as well as helping people make the most of later life.

People should drop donations to their nearest collection point between 9am - 11am or 1pm - 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Donation points are at: The Laburnum Centre, Lyon Street Bognor Regis, PO21 1UX; Lamb House, 2 Kleinwort Close; Butlers Green Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4XG; 1 Town Barn Road, West Green, Crawley West Sussex, RH11 7XG and 29 – 31 Prestonville Road, Brighton, BN1 3TJ.

See also: Results of the Big Garen Birdwatch are out and we can now reveal the most common visitors to West Sussex gardens