James McClean helping those less well off back in his home city of Derry
The Stoke City winger is one of a growing legion of people and businesses coming up with increasingly more innovative ways of helping their neighbours in need.
McClean frequently steps in to help good causes in his native city and appears again to have stepped up to the mark by funding nappies, medicines, toilet rolls, baby supplies and cleaning products to be distributed by Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership.
The goods are being packed in hampers and given out to local people.
The soccer star said on social media: “It’s a small gesture but one that I hope can go a long way in helping.”
The Creggan Community has also established a free home delivery service for the elderly and vulnerable.
Eurospar and Creggan Enterprises have joined other community organisations and businesses at the Ráth Mór Centre to provide the service.
Creggan Enterprises spokesman, Conal McFeely said it was important no-one missed on basics such as groceries.
“There is a great spirit of wanting to help out among the people of Creggan,” he said.
As fear grows of a complete lock-down, businesses and individuals are coming up with increasingly more novel ways of serving their communities.
The Irish News reports that popular north west restaurant, The Gap at Bridgend on the Derry/Donegal border, provided ingredient packs and recipes for people to make “simple buns” at home.
The restaurant was one of the first to close last weekend in response to the crisis. It left 50 baking packs outside its premises free of charge and posted the recipe for the buns on its social media sites.
Businesses have also been offering free help.
Long established Sweeney’s Chemists at Derry’s Quayside shopping centre is offering one pack of free nappies per person to anyone who is struggling to buy them.
A spokesman said: “We had been chatting amongst ourselves this morning and have been trying our best to think of ways we can help people at this time.”
Café Bailie in Derry’s Waterside is delivering free stew or soup to people who have had to self-isolate, asking only that they contact the business or Resolution Northwest between 10 am and noon daily.
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