Councillors' column: This is how you can help - if you are able to

Councillor Allen Brett, Leader of Rochdale Council and Councillor John Blundell, Cabinet member for Regeneration, Business and Skills at Rochdale Borough Council have written an open letter to residents and businesses dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

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"We’re now weeks into the coronavirus pandemic and without doubt, it’s a very frightening and unsettling time for everybody, including our local businesses, some of whom will be wondering if they can survive this terrible situation.

"As a council, we’re seeing first-hand the impact this pandemic is having on our communities and we see it as our job to take a lead role in helping them through this crisis.

"As part of this, among other things, we’ve established four community hubs across the borough, paid millions of pounds in grants to local companies and made a £30,000 donation to our foodbanks, as well as coordinating the local response.

"However, I’m proud to say that we’re just one of many organisations across the borough which are really stepping up to get Rochdale through this.

"Action Together is one of those. It’s a not for profit organisation working across Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside which supports the local community, voluntary groups and charities.

"They have recently launched a new campaign to raise money to support people through the coronavirus.

"The money will be used to:

• Get grants out to local charities and voluntary groups, including those providing mental health support
• Help get food parcels out to the most vulnerable members of the community
• Help provide telephone advice, support and companionship for older people to prevent them from feeling isolated

"We appreciate that this is an exceptional time and businesses and communities are at the forefront of dealing with this crisis.

"But if our business community and residents would like to help local charities at this time, we would urge them to get behind this worthwhile campaign.

"Readers can help in the following ways:

"By donating to Action Together’s Just Giving page here:

• justgiving.com/campaign/RochdaleCoronavirus 

"By donating any surplus food to the following places (please ensure that food is tinned or in packets and that milk is long life), which can be found at:

• Rochdale Foodbank - Staff entrance (behind Mecca Bingo, Milton Street) at Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU
• Heywood Foodbank - 94 Adelaide Street, Heywood OL10 4HE
• Middleton Foodbank - Middleton Shopping Centre, S6 b/c Second Floor, Limetrees Road, Middleton M24 4EL
• Smallbridge and Kirkholt community pantries. You can organise a drop off time by emailing: community.partnership@rbh.org.uk

"I’ve been really impressed with the way our residents and businesses community have reacted to this awful situation.

"I know that you’ve already done a lot, but please, if you can, do get behind this worthwhile cause.

"Many thanks.

"Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council.

"John Blundell, Cabinet member for Regeneration, Business and Skills at Rochdale Borough Council."