Street sweeper Andrew admires a special thank you from Bess Standing and Evie Bebbington

THE Tribune has always pledged not to shy away from the cold realities of this epidemic. But there are stories of hope and kindness too and in this weekly column we pull together just some of the ways the community is looking out for each other amid this crisis.

Sewing maestro Nicky Manby in the scrubs she is making for NHS frontline staff

A VOLUNTEER at an Islington primary school has put her sewing skills to the test and created scrubs for doctors and nurses. Nicky Manby, a retired languages teacher who now volunteers at the City of London Primary Academy Islington (CoLPAI) to help French students, said: “To be able to make scrubs for those that are working on the front line is an honour and a privilege. I am pleased I am able to help in this small way and I feel it is the least I can do for them.”

Volunters at Duncombe Primary School

STAND-UP comedian Paul Tonkinson is among the volunteers who have stepped in to help Duncombe Primary School deliver more than 120 meals to its pupils every day. The Upper Holloway school has been delivering the hot meals to pupils around the borough since the lockdown measures were introduced. Volunteer Rachel Foster said: “Often the families are in their pyjamas and stuck in their house most of the day, so a connection to the school helps them reconnect with the outside world.”

Hermione Davis baked biscuits and cakes to support Whittington Hospital staff

A SCHOOLGIRL who was born in the Whittington Hospital has baked biscuits and cakes to fundraise and help staff at the hospital. Hermione Davis had wanted to earn a bit of pocket money with her baking but changed her mind when she saw that the Whittington had released a “wish list” of food and drinks staff needed to get them through gruelling shifts. Her mother Christina said: “We thought it was a great effort and are very proud of her for thinking of it.”

Designer Dorit Young with her facemasks

A BARNSBURY fashion designer is making face masks out of old clothes and giving them away for free to front-line workers. Dorit Young, of Gibson Square, said she he handed them to bus drivers, refuse workers and care home employees. She will make one for other people if they donated to the NHS. She said: “A lot of people think they have to settle with the bland white medical masks, but I think we can be proud of how our masks will look.” To find out more you can contact her on 07981 974823 or email her on dorityoung@gmail.com

Teachers at Acland Burghley

THERE were treats for the teachers who are keeping the school open for the children of key workers and those who might be vulnerable. Parents arrived with boxes of cupcakes at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park to say thank you for their hard work.

TEENAGERS Bess Standing and Evie Bebbington chalked a special thank you to their regular street sweeper, Andrew. Their messages in Gallia Road are for the “incredibly brave key workers who bring hope to our community,” explained Bess.