MORE than 900 people have signed up to assist or get help from a new Southampton community support group.

Julie Haylett from West End set up the West End Coronavirus Support Group on March 15 and in just three three weeks, more than 900 people have signed up to help other or obtain assistance.

The group are working to support anyone in need during these unprecedented times.

So far, the group have collected prescriptions and delivered them to vulnerable people who cannot leave their homes.

They have also collected shopping and other essentials thanks to the volunteers in the group who are offering their time to help other in need within their community.

The team are also working with local fish and chip shops in West End on a Wednesday and have been delivering meals to those who are currently stuck inside.

The group was also working with the local church and taking in food donations but this was forced to stop as the church closed due to lockdown measures.

Julie said: "We really want to be able to carry on with this especially as we are nearly at a point where some people are running out of money and are unable to go out to obtain more.

"We have managed to set up a new donation point.

"We have recently put in place volunteers who are prepared to ring and chat on the phone to anyone feeling lonely in the hope of cheering them up and letting them know they are not alone as we are all in this together.

"It feels as though the whole village is pulling together to help.

"Our biggest problem is getting the word out to our residents who are not on the internet, as we had to stop delivering leaflets which was a shame."

The group has a Facebook page called "West End Coronavirus Support Group" and residents can also contact Julie on 028 8047 0610.

It comes as a campaign backed by the Daily Echo to help support the NHS has raised more than £33k.

The Daily Echo backed a Southampton Hospitals Charity campaign for help following an increased demand for services and frontline staff at UHS due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To donate visit www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/NHSheroes or text NHSHEROES 3 to 70460 to donate £3; NHSHEROES 5 to 70460 to donate £5; NHSHEROES 10 to 70460 to donate £10.