Salt of the Earth: Meet Margaret Currie providing real support during the coronavirus crisis

We hoped to discover the unsung heroes who were visiting their neighbours each day to ensure that their lunch was made, or to find the teenager who helped care for an elderley relatives garden.

What we didn’t expect was the immense number of ways it is possible for people to help each other, and we’re incredibly proud of our readers for giving us the kind of stories we want to write about week in and week out.

The coronavirus outbreak has revealed a massive amount of good neighbours in our area, hundreds of volunteers have stepped forward to deliver food and prescriptions to those who are shielding, and many delivered cakes, hand-made PPE and other items to our valuable key workers.

This week’s Salts of the Earth is one such person. When Victoria Smith-Dunn at Oatlands Community Centre put out a call for help, Margaret Currie was quick to put her name forward.

Margaret said: “Vic asked people to volunteer to help their neighbours, which I did. Then she came to me saying someone needed my help.”

Margaret was matched with 47-year-old Loraine Wood from Hookstone Avenue. Loraine said “It’s saved me a lot of effort shielding. Margaret has been wonderful! Dropping food round and collecting prescriptions for me.

“As far as I’m aware shielding is coming to an end at the end of July, but I still daredn’t go out until there is a vaccine. I’ve had pneumonia a few times which is terrifying but this disease really scares me.”

“I dread the idea of catching even a mild dose. I don’t think that I would survive if I caught it.”

Former personal trainer Loraine said she hasn’t been able to work for 13 years after being diagnosed first with Fibromyalgia and subsequently with COPD.

She said: “ I’ve gone from being totally capable to a shell and my memory’s terrible.

Loraine receives a weekly shielding box, and anything extra she needs Margaret drops off for her. “She also collects my prescription when it needs picking up,” she said. “And I have a big prescription.

"She rings me up and I can have a chat with her. She’s become a friend. She’s a lovely person inside and out.

“She’s an absolute sweetheart and is always there if I need anything.”

Margaret believes one of the reasons she was chosen to help Loraine is because of her dog-walking business Mags Wags.

The former Halifax employee set up the business nine years ago after she had her children.

Margaret said growing up on a farm in Devon gave her a love of animals and outdoor spaces and when she reconsidered her career, Mags Wags was born.

Working during lockdown has been difficult. Margaret said: “I’m doing about a third of what I normally do. But they’ve now relaxed the guidelines and I’m able to walk dogs from different households.”

Going forwards she plans on helping those who have bought puppies in the last few weeks to learn how to properly walk their dogs.

Margaret also looked for other ways to help the community during lockdown, she made over 40 headbands for key workers at Harrogate Hospital and three sets of scrubs as well.

She said she’s happy to be making a difference. “It’s not how much you give, it’s about giving at the right time.”

Victoria Smith-Dunn said: “ Margaret has been an integral part of our work at Oatlands Community Group offering ongoing support.

“Her willingness to reply to a text and head out to take a delivery is invaluable.

“People like Margaret are the lifeblood of the Oatlands Community and help us to keep doing the work we do.”

The appeal for help went out from Oatlands Community on March 17th. Days before lockdown began.

The group quickly swelled, reaching 65 members in four days and 137 in two weeks

Those who are vulnerable or self isolating were encouraged to complete forms requesting help, which were then passed on to people living nearby. If no one local could help an appeal was quickly put out for another volunteer to meet the need.

No one person helps more than one shielding person or family to try and help reduce the risk of infection.

Over the past few months the Oatlands Community team have encouraged children to paint rocks, arranged deliveries of Easter care packages, created a VE Day activity pack and even arranged street bingo, lending a megaphone and bingo cards to those who need it.

Weekly key worker appreciation packs are also available to those nominated through the Facebook page

You can find out more about the Oatlands Community by visiting their Facebook page @oatlandscommunity.

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Yorkshire Weeklies