Goodie bags delivered in Northumberland thanks to scheme spearheaded by I'm a Celebrity star Vicky Pattison

The former Geordie Shore star and winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is working alongside Age UK and several major companies to help elderly and vulnerable residents across the country.

Wooler Parish Council has helped coordinate the delivery of 245 isolation packages containing essentials and five nutritious meals to nominated residents between Powburn and the Scottish border.

Now, it has donated a further £500 to ensure the Help the Elderly scheme can continue.

Coun Mark Mather, parish council chairman, said: “Other than Northumberland National Park, we have been one of the biggest recipients of the goodie bags.

“Vicky Pattison has done a great job and helped raise over £13,000. She’s in London and has a group of volunteers packaging the donations but there’s a huge cost in bringing them up north.

“Judged by the number of thank you letters we’ve received, donating £500 is nothing compared to what the scheme has meant to people.”

Wooler has linked up with Milfield, Kirknewton, Branxton, Cornhill, Tillside and Hedgeley parishes to ensure the scheme runs smoothly.

A further 80 medication deliveries have been made by Des Hood Taxis across the same area in a separate scheme – with over 800 miles clocked up in the process - while provisions from local stores are also being delivered.

“It’s been a tremendous benefit having the local knowledge of neighbouring parishes to tap into in learning about people who may be in need,” added Coun Mather.

Coun Anthony Murray, member for Wooler on Northumberland County Council, said: “I think the goodwill that’s been created by the work that’s going on has been fantastic to see.”

Financial and practical support has also been provided by the county council, while a £1,000 donation has been provided by the Duncan Davidson Family Trust.

Berwick Community Trust was also thanked by Coun Mather for its input along with others who have helped with deliveries.

On her JustGiving page, Vicky Pattison posted: “These people went to war for us - we can do this for them.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.