VOLUNTEERS from across South Ayrshire who helped the most vulnerable residents through the COVID-19 crisis have been praised.

The head of Voluntary Action South Ayrshire has said it’s time to ‘Value our Volunteers’ after weeks of showing appreciation to carers and frontline heroes.

Linda Muir, has chaired up a seven-day-a-week task force to help people who have been forced to stay indoors as they are a group who are at the most risk of COVID-19.

These groups, who have been shielding, include those with underlying health conditions and those aged over 70.

South Ayrshire Lifeline was set up to help reach out to those individuals who needed it most, and their army of

volunteers have travelled the length and breadth of South Ayrshire from Troon to Girvan to ensure essentials such as food, and prescriptions reached those who are unable to leave their homes.

In praising the local lockdown heroes, Linda said: “An amazing army of people have stepped up to help the elderly

and the vulnerable in every town and village across South Ayrshire over the last few months. From delivering food to checking on their neighbours, they have brought comfort.

“But it is not just in these difficult times that volunteers are making a massive contribution to society – every day of every year volunteers are making a difference.”

Linda has sent an individual Thank You letter to each person who has helped, with volunteers acknowledged in Ayr, Girvan, Dundonald, Dailly, Kirkmichael, Tarbolton and Coylton.

In the letter, she said volunteers brought: “Food where there was hunger, calm where there was chaos, help to the helpless, kindness to the bereft, a friendly face, a listening ear, a sense that somebody cares and reassurance that here is somewhere they belong.”

Linda added: “These wonderful volunteers deserve a huge and very public ‘Thank You’ and national Volunteers’ Week seemed like the perfect time to let each and every one of them know how much their contribution means to all of us.”

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