In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Macclesfield Town Council has been issuing emergency grants to specific community groups directly involved with the response.

Grants of £2,000 have been given to local groups Cre8, Cheshire Streetwise, Green in the Corner, the Hope Centre, Calvary Church and CORE.

These grants will go directly towards providing a local response to the issues created by the outbreak.

The grants will help to provide essential items to those in need such as food parcels or care packages.

A list of the projects being supported and funded by Macclesfield Town Council is detailed below:

• Cre8 Project Grow, based on the Moss estate, are providing deliveries of food packages.

Those in need of help should contact Cre8 through their Facebook page or by email on [email protected].

• The Hope Centre are providing home-cooked meals for food packages. Referrals for this service need to go through Cre8 on the details above.

The Hope Centre are also providing a listening service for those in need of someone to talk to at this time.

This service will go live on Monday 6th April and can be used by calling 07958 181 927 between 10am and 4pm.

• Calvary Church on the Weston estate will be delivering food and care packages from Monday 6th April onwards. They can be contacted through their Facebook page or by calling 01625 615915.

• Cheshire Streetwise are providing food parcels which can be collected from their Mill St premises from 11am-1pm on Monday's and Friday's.

• CORE (Church of the Resurrection) on the Upton Priory estate will be providing food and care packages for local residents and can be contacted on 01625 829288.

• Green in the Corner based on the Hurdsfield estate will be re-launching their Fair Share distribution and meeting local demand for home cooked food soon. More details will be announced regarding this when the project is ready to go.

• Macclesfield Town Council has also provided emergency funding East Cheshire Hospice who are facing losses of £1 million due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Helena Gowler, Community Engagement Officer for Macclesfield Town Council said: "These fantastic organisations have stepped up to provide Macclesfield with the help in needs in this unprecedented time.

"Macclesfield Town Council is supporting these groups with emergency funds to help provide residents with the help they need.

"Our Town Rangers Adrian and Shane have even stepped in to assist deliveries of food packages to those most vulnerable people in our town. It really is a fantastic community effort."

Alongside the above groups, the council is providing a service called People Helping People which connects volunteers with those in need.

To access this service, you can register online or by calling 0300 123 5034.

Community Champion for Macclesfield Town Council, Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake commented: "In these difficult times it's important we all pull together as a community.

"Please check in on your vulnerable neighbours, especially those who do not use social media, remembering to use social distancing measures.

"Don't forget to take care of both your physical and mental health, be patient and kind with yourself and others.

"If you can, sign up to Cheshire East Council's People Helping People, whether you are in need of support or can spare some time to help others.

"A huge Macclesfield thank you to local third sector groups distributing food to those most in need.

"To keep up this fantastic work third sector groups and charities will rely on your generosity over the coming months, whether it's a tin of beans for a food bank or a cheque to a charity, give what you can."

She added: "Finally, a massive thank you to all key workers who are keeping us fed and well looked after. We can all help by following social distancing and handwashing guidelines.

"Show your gratitude with displays in your windows and gardens and by giving a nod, a smile, a thank you to the shop workers, posties, binmen, NHS staff, carers, schools, scientists and all the behind the scenes workers keeping Macclesfield going.

"Together we can get through this!"