Ballymacash community comes together to help during crisis

Ballymacash has always been a tightly knit community and even more so now during this health crisis and essential lock down.

Spearheaded by the local community association, with help from local businesses and sports clubs, everyone has come together to offer much needed support.

Under the umbrella of ‘Covid-19 Ballymacash Response’, volunteers have been organising events such as the weekly clap to thank frontline workers, as well as treats for the younger members of the community.

Everyone who lives in the area recently received a leaflet through their door from the association to let them know how to make contact should they need anything.

Volunteers are offering to deliver essential goods, provide foodbank vouchers, or go to the shop to top up gas and electric for people who can’t get out.

The group is helping the elderly and isolated, providing support for local families, and offering to collect prescriptions for anyone who can’t leave the house.

They are also offering emotional support for anyone who is struggling during this period of isolation. Even if you just need a chat, there will be someone at the end of the phone to listen.

The group has received generous donations to help it carry out this vital work, and has thanked Ballymacash Campsie Club ABOD, Ballymacash Regeneration Network, Ballymacash Cultural Awareness Project and Ballymacash Rangers FC for their generous donations.

People can leave food donations at the doors of the community centre, or at the Windmill Stores.

The group also has a dedicated bank account for anyone who would like to donate financially to help with the ongoing work, details of which can be found on their Facebook page.

Anyone in the area who is in need of support can contact the group on 028 92 528067. There is also a dedicated Facebook page, which can be found by searching for ‘Ballymacash covid-19 response’.

All social distancing measures will be adhered to at all times by the volunteers and any contact made with the group is strictly confidential.

The message from the Covid-19 Ballymacash Response team is “please remember as a community we are in this together and we will do our best all to stay safe and come out the other end as a community. We are united together.”

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