A GROUP of volunteers says it will keep serving the people throughout the coronavirus period and beyond.

The Tiptree Volunteers are an eight-person team including residents Clare Howlett, Sarah Luisis, Carole Hull, Sue Watkins, Annette Hazell, Alice Dunn, Jamie Cross and Chris Ward.

They have been providing help for dozens of Tiptree residents in the first lockdown and have been keeping up their efforts in the second.

A spokesman said: “Covid-19 has had a terrible effect on the elderly and vulnerable.

“Some of the people we still serve haven’t been out of their homes since March and have no intention of doing so until Covid-19 has gone.

“For some who live on their own, we are the only ones they see during the week so we all try to have a doorstep chat when delivering the shopping and a chat when taking their shopping list over the phone.

“It’s sad but we all get a lot out of helping them.”

Over this year, the group has helped more than 50 individuals and fulfilled 1,300 requests for help.

They also pick up a weekly surplus of food from Tesco to arrange a foodbank donation.

On a recent journey, they delivered more than 200 jars of pasta sauce to Colchester Foodbank.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Tiptree Volunteers will be taking this donation from Tesco to Colchester foodbankTiptree Volunteers will be taking this donation from Tesco to Colchester foodbank

The spokesman added: “At the moment, we are serving about 20 people continuously with ad-hoc prescription pick-ups every now and then.

“Even though we started this group because of Covid-19, we fully intend to keep going as we realise that the need for help is not just because of the pandemic but there are vulnerable people in need at all times.”

Many parts of the community are also working alongside the volunteers to help out.

A spokesman for Tiptree Parish Council said: “The council has been inspired by the work of the volunteers.

“They have worked hard to ensure those in need within the village have a safe set of hands to assist them in obtaining both food and their pharmaceuticals.

“We have more than happy to supply the limited support they have asked of the parish council as we see the excellent results of their efforts.”

Tesco’s Tiptree branch helps out through their surplus food donations which are distributed by the volunteers.