Finsbury Park Mosque volunteers deliver meals to the Whittington

WE know that some of the stories and detail in the Tribune today and over recent weeks has been hard to read and harrowing in nature. We pledged not to shy away from the truth of the coronavirus, as long as we could do so without sowing panic and fear. In these painful times, hope can be found in the way our community is responding – and that’s why each week we are publishing a round-up of the ways people, organisations and businesses are trying to help others.

Play’s the thing – now online

A CHARITY toy shop in Junction Road, Archway, which supplies toys to children in need has moved operations online, and can deliver to Islington residents during the coronavirus crisis. The Toy Project takes old toys, recycles them and give them to needy children using a referral system. Referral forms are available by emailing j.garfield@thetoyproject.co.uk, and toys can be collected by key workers from 81 Junction Road by appointment.

Pupils called to the colours!

Holly’s rainbow artwork

SECONDARY school students in Islington have answered a call from the government to create a “sign of hope” by drawing pictures supporting NHS workers. The rainbow design pictures have been put up in windows across the borough. Holly Baker-Cody, 12, who attends Beacon High School, formerly Holloway School, in Hilldrop Road, drew her version of the NHS rainbow after it was set as a task in their art and design class, which was praised by assistant headteacher Sarah Mcdonald.

£20k raised for church bills

NEARLY £20,000 has been raised in under two weeks for a non-religious church struggling to pay its bills amid the coronavirus lockdown. The New Unity Church, based in Newington Green and Upper Street, lost around 80 per cent of its income after it could no longer rent out its Upper Street building. But after a call out by the church to its members in March, it has been able to raise £19,625 through 65 donors.

Food parcels for school families

Food packages being prepared at St Aloysius’ College

VOLUNTEERS have helped assemble food parcels at St Aloysius’ College this week to be delivered to the families of primary school students. The Hornsey Lane school canteen, which is used to hosting over a thousand students a day during break and lunch, is providing a sanitised space from which food and essentials can be packaged and donated to Islington families who may struggle to provide or access supplies. In Islington all primary school-aged children in maintained schools are eligible for free school meals.

Free yoga class for the disabled

A YOGA charity specialising in classes for disabled children has rolled out a programme of free online classes for all to promote physical and mental wellbeing during the lockdown. The MahaDevi Yoga centre in Holloway Road usually charges for adult classes, with the proceeds paying for one-on-one yoga therapy for disabled children. Two to three hatha yoga classes catered to different levels will held online from Mondays to Saturdays. To see the charity’s new timetable and sign up for classes, visit:  mahadevicentre.com/online-yoga-classes

Mosque hands out 100 meals

FINSBURY Park Mosque teamed up with a humanitarian charity to hand out 100 meals to NHS staff at the Whittington hospital. Working with the Human Appeal charity and Wishes Catering, mosque chairman Mohammed Kozbar said he was proud of the gesture made to NHS staff. Mr Kozbar said: “We as a local mosque are proud to do our bit for our local communities here in Islington, especially our NHS staff who are looking after us, also our elderly and those who are the most vulnerable”.

Landlord offers homes to NHS

A LANDLORD is offering up to 20 newly built studio flats in Finsbury Park for NHS staff to live in for free. The Crouch End resident, who wants to remain anonymous, has said that he felt that he wanted to do anything he could to in this time of national crisis to support staff at any nearby hospital. Estate agents Hemmingfords, based in Old Street, are acting as the go-between for the landlord and any hospitals or medical institutions who are interested. You can contact them on 020 3890 7470.