West Kilbride Coronavirus Community Support Group has received funding from the Scottish government and the community wellbeing fund to continue in its efforts to see locals through the pandemic.

The 500-member strong group, headed up by Fi Thorburn and Karen Morgan, has also raised £2,000 from its Crowdfunder, delivered 368 prescriptions and completed 36 shopping deliveries in the last two weeks alone.

The funding is due to go towards fuel costs for prescription runs and creating wellbeing activities for children such as art and home-school packs.

Fi said: “We set the group up three weeks before lockdown. Even the council said we were ahead of the game. Karen and I met through Facebook and thought we may as well be prepared if the worst happened so we started putting positive things into play.

“We have a list of regular volunteers which gives people continuity. The immediate needs of the community have been met so we’ve got three prescription deliveries a day as well as regular shopping runs.

“We’ve got strong roots within the group and a good solid team.”

Volunteers include John and Liz Bathgate who moved to the village in October. The couple now volunteer twice a week and have become pillars of the community.

John said: “It’s been a great privilege to be part of the group. There’s a strong feeling of everyone pulling together and making the needs of others the priority.

“People are so appreciative when dropping off prescriptions and shopping, and the background work to make it all happen has been fantastic. Liz and I only moved here last October, and we’re loving being part of such a caring community.”

The group hope to expand post-lockdown and are developing different initiatives such as mental health wellbeing projects for over 40s.

Fi said: “We understand there’s not a lot in place for mental health for over 40s so we’re working out strategies to keep people cheerful. I’ve suffered with mental health all my life, so I totally understand what it’s like.

“We want to make a difference longer term and to make some really good changes in the community that’ll last.”

If you are looking for help, call Karen on 07792116375 or email WKCVcommunity@gmail.com