A COUNCIL is seeking to raise £20,000 to support isolated people after its coronavirus ‘community hub’ took more than 400 calls in less than two weeks.

Rossendale Connected has provided food, other essential supplies and telephone and online company and advice since its launch on March 26.

The oldest person the seven-day- a-week hub has helped is 97 and the majority have been in their 70s and 80s.

Of the people Rossendale Connected has helped, 92 per cent have at least one underlying health condition.

The hub has set up a crowdfunding page to raise £20,000 to support local charities and groups deliver food and other help to residents.

Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said:“Setting up the hub in a matter of days is a real achievement and as we can see from the latest statistics, it is really delivering.

“I have also been overwhelmed by all the offers of help from residents and businesses so we are trying our best to co-ordinate that. We have set up a justgiving page so we can make sure donations are used to help those struggling the most.”