Mansfield ambulance technician rallies community to provide care packages for elderly and vulnerable

Loretta Leeming decided to launch the project to help the elderly residents who live in homes run by Mansfield’s The Brunts Charity “to give something back” and because her late mother was a resident for many years.

The 41-year-old ambulance technician launched the drive through her facebook group Help Our Community and received hundreds of cash and food donations from all over Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and as far afield as Devon.

West Notts College also donated items, and Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in Mansfield donated carrier bags so each elderly resident could be given a few essential items to keep them going, Loretta said.

Loretta, of Delamere Drive, Mansfield, told your Chad: “I thought there were only 86 properties but the director told me that there are actually 153 so it’s been flat out getting this done in time.

“My mum, when she was still alive, lived in one of The Brunts Charity’s bungalows and I just thought there’s so much negativity at the moment and these are vulnerable people, and by doing this I could let them know that they haven’t been forgotten about. I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the elderly and I wanted to give something back.

“Years and years ago these people did a lot for us, whether they are old enough to have served in the Second World War or not, and this could be any one of us in the future.”

Loretta handed over the care packages to charity staff at its Champion Crescent base on Wednesday, March 25.

Charity operations director Paul Williams said: “When Loretta got in touch the other day, you really know that the community has come together and people like her are invaluable to us, we are absolutely overwhelmed by her generosity. It’s very much appreciated as the charity has put the residents into home isolation. They are elderly and vulnerable due to underline health issues, and a gesture like this does wonders for their morale.”