A HUMBLE idea to offer a helping hand to at-risk people as the coronavirus pandemic grips the Surf Coast has proved kindness conquers all. <\/p>\n
Founded by Jan Juc mum Nicole Dickmann, the Surfcoast Angels volunteer group has attracted more than 120 members since its inception on March 14. <\/p>\n
Ms Dickmann said she put her marketing background to good use to get the project \u2013 which offers assistive services to community members who are vulnerable, living with a disability, self-isolating or recovering from illness \u2013 off the ground. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll the community has been asking for is a way to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey all want to help, they just don\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome people are feeling really stuck, some are undergoing chemotherapy and the elderly are not leaving the house because they\u2019re scared. Others have been overseas and are self-isolating, some are recovering from another illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re willing to help even if that means standing outside someone\u2019s door and playing a game of cards \u2013 that\u2019s the whole point of this. We are trying to keep people connected even though they\u2019re in their own house and self-isolated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want them to know \u2018You\u2019re not alone, we\u2019re your neighbours and we\u2019re here to help in any way that we can\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said a number of \u201cfrontline volunteers\u201d were available to deliver people\u2019s grocery shopping, make a chemist trip or drop off a coffee, while \u201cback of house\u201d volunteers were donating their time to assisting with the printing of pamphlets and sourcing items that have been in short supply as a result of panic buying. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere really isn\u2019t anything too small for us. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are nervous to ask for help because they don\u2019t want to feel like they\u2019re needy or that there\u2019s other people out there who are more needy than them and they don\u2019t want to be selfish,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the whole community is at risk, so don\u2019t be afraid to ask.\u201d <\/p>\n