Coronavirus: Monday’s Local Updates

The Great Glen Wheelbarrow Race is the latest big local event to be cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers say they have a responsibility to act in the best interest of visitors, stallholders and volunteers – it was due to take place on September 5^th to raise money for Leicestershire’s Loros Hospice.

A Desborough lingerie manufacturer has donated thousands of pairs of pants to the NHS to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wacoal Europe has sent 6,000 briefs to hospitals across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, who are in need of such personal items for patients, because of visiting restrictions and the duration some are spending there, and staff who are working long shifts.

Laura Simon, Wacoal Europe’s chief marketing officer, said: “We are so grateful to the NHS for everything they are doing at the moment.

“We’re really glad we can support our local hospitals with these donations.”

The firm, whose factory is on Rothwell Road, hopes to donate more briefs in the future.

People are being reminded to only go to Market Harborough tip if they have booked in advance and can’t safely store rubbish at home for the time being.

The site on Riverside has reopened today after being shut since March because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Trevor Pendleton from Leicestershire County Council is also encouraging people who have had sort outs at home during the past few weeks, to consider what they need to get rid of:

 

Over 1400 small business across the District have received financial support to help them cope with the impact of Coronavirus.

Harborough Council has now shared out all of its allocated government funding of over £19m.

It’s has been praised for getting the payments out quickly – ranked the 5th best performing out of 314 nationwide.

And those who so far haven’t qualified for the schemes could still get help, with the authority using its own funds, which the government has promised to reimburse.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement; to be named in the top five Councils nationally, in allocating grants, is testament to the outstanding efforts of Council staff who have been working so hard to get these payments to local businesses which urgently need them at this critical time.”

People using trains from Market Harborough are being urged to wear face coverings and only travel if it’s essential.

East Midlands Railway has today launched new social distancing measures and is also asking passengers to use contactless payment if possible.

Although more services are running, it only means a small rise in the number of passengers that can accommodated, due to the measures in place in a bid to protect people from the Coronavirus.