Coronavirus Liverpool: This Woolton Coffee shop is creating care packages for elderly and vulnerable

As the Coronavirus crisis worsens this Liverpool Coffee Shop is one of many businesses doing all they can to help

A Liverpool coffee shop is collecting donations of everything from loo rolls to tins of beans to help vulnerable people struggling because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Fika on Woolton Road in Childwall has set itself up as a community hub where people can drop off items to go into care packages for the elderly and others who are having to self-isolate.

Anthony Grice, who owns Fika, launched his appeal through the shop’s Instagram account less than 24 hours ago but says he’s already had a fantastic response.

“I read over the weekend about how many people are likely to be self-isolating very soon, especially older people, are how they’re struggling to even get the basics when they go to do their shopping,” he says.

“I think since Covid-19, we’ve realised just how many selfish people there are in the world, stockpiling things that they don’t really need. My mum works in a supermarket and she’s told me it’s been unbelievable, and how sad it is to see older people getting knocked back left, right and centre.

“A lot of them shop on a daily basis because it’s a reason for them to get out of the house and meet people every day, so they never stock up and when something like this happens they’re in trouble. Also, there are some who don’t drive so they tend to go to their nearest shop, they don’t have the choice of driving around looking, so what do they do if all the shelves are empty?”

“A lot of them shop on a daily basis because it’s a reason for them to get out of the house and meet people every day, so they never stock up and when something like this happens they’re in trouble. Also, there are some who don’t drive so they tend to go to their nearest shop, they don’t have the choice of driving around looking, so what do they do if all the shelves are empty?”

Anthony says, after the success of a Christmas toy appeal at the end of last year, he decided that Fika could again become a central point in the community for drop-off donations.

“The response to our Christmas appeal was great so I thought we could take advantage of the shop again and use it as a hub for people who want to help out now.

“Today, we’ve already had people coming in with toilet rolls, tins of soup, that kind of thing so what I want is to get together as many basics as I can and then create care packages which we can deliver.

“I’ve had lots of interest from people in the area, and our customers, who want to donate and to take the packages to people who need them.”

He says he also wants people to put forward anyone who might be vulnerable or no longer going out because they’re worried about catching the virus.

“I know there are a lot of people around here who are clearly on their own, I see them walking past our shop on a daily basis, so it would be good to know where they live so we can help them.

“I’m planning to do a leaflet drop this week with my mobile number on saying ‘if you need something, just ring us’ and if they’re worried about a delivery we can always leave a package on their doorstep.

“There’s been so much ‘me, me, me’ with people panic buying and stockpiling, but there’s a lot of kindness out there too so now’s the time for us all to look out for each other and look after each other.”

Anyone who would like to donate can drop items at Fika on Woolton Road, message the shop via social media or they can call Anthony to offer help or suggestions of people who might need a delivery on 07947 243724.