Our salute to thousands of ordinary Northamptonshire people doing extraordinary things during the Covid-19 crisis

Northamptonshire is really showing we are ALL in this together with thousands of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help during the Covid-19 crisis.

An army of 13,000 volunteers has now signed up to look after the county's elderly and vulnerable, keeping them safe.

Northampton General Hospital has been overwhelmed by public donations of life-saving equipment for its staff.

Charities and support groups are coming together to help the effort, resulting in a range of heart-warming stories.

Police say the majority of people across the county are sticking to #StayHomeSaveLives plea to protect the NHS during the lockdown.

Proud county council leader Matthew Golby said: “I want to sincerely thank every one of you, for doing your bit, whether that’s staying at home, those in key roles across all industries and all of our amazing volunteers.

"Northamptonshire is really showing that we are all in this together.”

Every day, the Chronicle & Echo, Northants Telegraph and Daventry Express websites carries stories of ordinary people doing more than their bit to help either by raising cash or giving donations. So many, we cannot possibly mention you all .. but here's a few:

Seven-year-old Sophia Massey camped outside with her dad and is now running a ‘guess how many sweets are in the jar’ competition to raise money AND is helping lift spirits in her area.

Rugby players from Northampton Boys Brigade Old Boys raised more than £5,000 by 'braving the shave'.

And Jordan Anderson said a massive thank you for being able to keep in touch with her dad Gordon while he was in intensive care after the public bought 30 tablets and 50 radios from the hospital's Amazon wishlist.

Some of the most heart-warming stories are from pop-up groups who have come together to look after each other during the pandemic.

One man from the Kings Heath and Dallington area went above and beyond last week to find a reclining chair for an individual he was looking out for who had nothing.

He now has a reclining chair, table and chest of drawers full of bedding and clothes!

So many organisations are going out of their way to make a difference.

Northants' 4x4 Response team was tasked to deliver food packs on Good Friday in conjunction with Northants Search & Rescue and the Red Cross.

When the team found out two people on the list were celebrating birthdays, duty controller Sam Nelson made a special trip to add cakes to their deliveries.

Cllr Golby added: “The community spirit being shown by every group and individual offering their help at this time is truly incredible.

"Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can be hugely significant for those living alone, self-isolating or shielding.

“We are still keen to ensure that everyone in need of support is receiving the help and support that they require.

"If someone you know is in need of help, especially with access to food or medication, or your circumstances have changed since the Covid-19 outbreak and you suddenly find yourself in need, please call the county helpline on 0300 126 1000, and choose option five."

Northamptonshire has also stepped up to help make sure NHS staff on the front line are kept safe.

Stories of shortages of personal protective equipment hit the national headlines yet bosses at Northampton General Hospital have been swamped by offers to keep stocks up.

Volunteer group “For the Love of Scrubs” is sewing scrubs for Northamptonshire's hospitals and GP surgeriesThree design technology teachers from Moulton School and Northampton School for Boys are creating face shields and safety visors.

Staff at Northampton College are 3D-printing face shields for key workers on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19.

A statement from the hospital said: "We have been overwhelmed by people's generosity and kindness towards our staff and patients.

"On their behalf we want to thank everyone who has made headbands or visors, donated PPE supplies, iPods, books and Kindles, or helped to boost morale by donating food and other treats."

And, perhaps most important, the vast majority of people are only leaving home when necessary to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus bug.

Northamptonshire Police has now issued 104 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the Covid-19 lockdown among a population of around 750,000, as of yesterday (Wednesday April 22) .

The commander in charge of Northamptonshire’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, said: "I’m very happy to report the vast majority of people are using their common sense and playing a full part in the national effort to restrict the spread of Covid-19.

“Even where there has been a need for officers to talk to people who aren’t observing social distancing rules we are finding they are quick to comply, without the need for enforcement, and once again we thank people for staying indoors, staying safe, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”

And so say all of us!