Mandy's Co-op work for vulnerable people

A TEAM manager and community champion for Ellesmere's Co-op store, in Cross Street, has thanked people for all their help in keeping vulnerable people fed during the outbreak.

Mandy Byrne is team manager at the store, having reached 30 years of service, and is currently also the store's Member Pioneer which has her working out with the community.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, she has stepped away from the store to work in the community full time and help all the vulnerable people in the area that she can.

"As well as being team manager, I'm also a 'Member Pioneer' which means I work in the community," she said.

"I do their shopping for the people who are vulnerable or isolated.

"I was on holiday when all of the coronavirus stuff started so I thought I'm going to have to do something.

"I gave out my personal mobile to some people and and the Co-op realised it was working so they have released me to do this and brought in some temporarily staff.

"That gives me all the time to shop.

"The reactions has been brilliant.

"It's been breaking my heart to see them all as they are all so lonely.

"It takes an hour to talk to them, because they all want to have a chat for an hour outside of their window."

Mandy says her work has been supported by a number of a different groups across Ellesmere who want to use their newly-found resources and time.

And she says her work can be expanded if needed and fit their criteria.

She added: "We've had so many offers of help from people in the town – I've been offered a driver and a van.

"The town's COVID group has also offered lots of help, and it's been brilliant to get so many.

"There have been teachers who have offered to help as well now they're not in work.

"We're still open to people too."

Anyone who needs help from Mandy at the Co-op can contact her on her mobile on 07971 250311.

Mandy is covering as much of the local area as possible including as far as Penley and surrounding villages.