Tristan helping over 100 elderly people

Working largely alone, but with some generous support from local businesses, Tristan Hanson (25) is now helping over 100 people around Portadown, Craigavon, Lurgan and even as far out as Aghalee.

Tristan has set up a Just Giving page to help support his efforts, which he has also been self funding.

On the page he said: “As these hard times are coming for us ahead, I am fortunate that I work for a company that is critical for the food industry and we won’t/can’t shut, I still have money coming in to keep me and my family afloat,

“So every day from now on in I am giving away boxes of small supplies that might be critical to somebody’s everyday life.”

To help in his effort he set up the Portadown Covid 19 Support page and within a week had reached 34,000 people engagements on the page.

He added: “I have also been in contact with Irwin’s Bakery and I am now receiving some their over produced products on a weekly basis.

“I have distributed essentials all over Portadown, along with the aid of Lidl Portadown and the Flower Bowl International, Armagh.

“I have already been in contact and delivered personally to a lot of elderly and vulnerable residents across Portadown in this past few days.

“It is hard to get food donations in to keep up with the demand which is why I have set up this Just Giving page to anybody that would like to donate a small amount.”

He went on to say: “Every £5 goes a long way in one of my donation boxes so I don’t have to rely on donations as much.

“You are not obliged to donate but every penny counts as I want to get out to as many elderly as I possibly can.”

He also promised:“All extra money that is left over will be donated to the Children’s Hospice.”

Speaking to the Portadown Times on his motivation for starting the community effort he said; “I wanted to help the community, I saw a lot of people going out and just buying for themselves.

“I’ve been to a lot of houses and I’m getting plenty of stuff in. Lidl in Portadown have been phenomenal and Irwin’s Bakery have also assisted.”

He added: “I’ve assisted over 100 people and the list I have goes on for page, after page.

“I’m going to people in all different areas with elderly self isolating.”

Tristan manages to get out every few days, when he’s off work and isn’t left with much spare time.

He works a 60 hour week and in his spare time can be doing delivery runs up to 10 hours a day.

He said the people he was helping were really appreciative, some had cried with gratitude.

Tristan also takes great care in terms of hygiene and infection control, using hand sanitiser before and after every visit, setting the food deliveries at the door and stepping back.

And for Tristan those measures aren’t just about protecting himself and those he is helping but also his dad who suffers from COPD.

If you would like to donate to Tristan’s efforts see his Just Giving page, www.justgiving.com and search PortadownUnite.