Coronavirus: Thursday’s Updates

People across the Hfm Region will once again join a national applause tonight for NHS staff and other key workers on the front-line during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Clap For Our Carers campaign is into its third week, and one local man who has more reason than most to be joining in is Hylton Murray-Philipson from Blaston.

The 61-year-old battled for his life last week after contracting the virus – spending five days in intensive care at Leicester Royal Infirmary, before becoming well enough to return home, and told Hfm he owes his life to the hospital staff who cared for him:

 

People across Harborough are being urged to be on-guard from fraudsters cashing in on the Coronavirus pandemic.

There has been an increase in fake websites being set up with people paying for things like face-masks which don’t exist and responding to bogus links on emails claiming to be from the government.

In Market Harborough a man called at homes this week offering to do shopping, asking for cash or bank cards.

Nicole McIntyre from Leicestershire Police’s Economic Crime Unit:

If  you have been a victim of fraud, it’s important you report it to Action Fraud either online or at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Leicestershire-based gas network firm Cadent is encouraging charity and community groups to apply for a share of seven million pounds to help their work hard during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Grants of up to £100 are available through the firm’s new Foundation fund.

More information on eligibility and how to apply for grants is at cadentfoundation.com

Meanwhile, the region’s electricity supplier – Western Power Distribution – has set up a fund of half a million pounds.

It says it want the ‘Community Matters Fund’ to assist those working hard to help others at a time their own funding has been hit.

More details HERE

Members of Market Harborough’s Morsbag group are making special drawstring bags for frontline hospital staff during the pandemic.

It means they can put their uniforms straight into them when they leave work and then put the bag directly into their washing machine when they get home to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Staff and hospitals in Leicester and Kettering have been receiving the bag, made from various fabrics, and expressing their thanks on social media.