Coronavirus: Congleton's Good Samiratan Tells People To Remain Calm
By Tom Avery
19th Mar 2020 | Local News
A Congleton resident has been going above and beyond to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable have essential items amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
For the last three days Shaun Radcliffe has been out delivering to the Congleton community.
He made 45 deliveries yesterday and prepared a further 15 ready to go this afternoon.
At the time of calling Mr Radcliffe, he was in the middle of the fracas at Aldi, which he described as "absolutely mental".
Shaun has been delivering to a range of people mainly the elderly, those who have lost their job or haven't been paid yet, and a pregnant woman who suffers from migraines and struggled to get her hands-on any paracetamol.
Mr Radcliffe stated that there had already been instances where people had broken down on him and started crying due to him helping them out.
Mr Radcliffe said: "It melts your heart to see the impact giving someone a toilet roll has on them."
Shaun told Nub News that the idea to help people came after he saw an old lady wandering around Congleton's Morrison's last Thursday with nothing in her trolley.
Mr Radcliffe added: "She didn't have a chance of getting any of the everyday essentials. It was clear that she needed help."
Since that moment Shaun, who is currently unemployed has been offering his services to help those who are either vulnerable or self-isolating.
He has been picking up a variety of items, but mainly things such as soup, bread, long-life milk, fresh fruit, toilet rolls, biscuits, crackers and paracetamol.
Due to the mass panic buying Coronavirus has brought, Shaun said that hand sanitiser, bread and toilet rolls have proven the most problematic items to acquire.
Mr Radcliffe said: "There is no need to panic buy, if everybody calmed down then the shelves wouldn't be as empty as they are now.
"People just need to continue to do a normal weekly shop amount and then there will be enough for those who need the items the most."
Shaun has been paying for the items out of his own pocket.
Shaun added: "People have tried to give me money, but I refuse, this isn't about me benefitting or making a profit in any way.
"Instead of receiving money I ask residents to give me food or essential item donations, which could then be passed onto other people who need them."
After getting up at 6am, Shaun had already been to both Aldi's, both B+M's, Tesco, Superdrug, Morrisons and Poundstretcher in Congleton by midday today.
Mr Radcliffe continued: "The people that are working in retail they are the ones that deserve a medal and I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work.
"I have been going out to the shops every day, I try any shop I can to pick items up. But the things you witness is unbelievable, it is ten times worst then Christmas shopping. The panic has made people so selfish."
Shaun has been delivering both on foot and in his car throughout the Congleton area and he is ensuring that he adheres to the safety guidelines.
Mr Radcliffe added: "I always sanitise my hands before delivery, I wipe the bags down and have a face mask and gloves as well.
"I have got all the precautions for people self-isolating."
Shaun told Nub News that his house had become a distribution centre with people dropping off items.
He was out from 6am to 9pm yesterday delivering.
Mr Radcliffe concluded: "We need to pull together as a community and if I can help somebody then I will.
"If I know that I've helped one person, then I feel happy.
"But everyone needs to stay calm and do their normal shop and nothing more, and for those that are stuck or need help please get in touch."
You can contact Shaun on 07825408377 or via Congleton Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Support Group.
If you know of a good Samaritan helping our community, please get in touch via [email protected] or 07713580426.
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