THIS is not an easy time for Brighton and Hove.

Uncertainty and anxiety are felt across the city as the Government announces ever-more stringent measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus on a seemingly daily basis.

But what has been overwhelming is the response of the people - the greatest asset Brighton and Hove has.

In overwhelming numbers, residents have jumped to help those more vulnerable than themselves with community schemes providing food, care and company to those who need it.

One such scheme is being spearheaded by Claire Stone.

After seeing people in the supermarkets with empty trolleys as they were beaten to basic items by panic-buyers, the 31-year-old began collecting donations of food and essential items to create care packages for people who are isolating, elderly and vulnerable.

After starting her crusade, she said her phone was soon "blowing up" with offers from people wanting to do their bit.

She has since been joined by her daughter Isla, 8, and a number of others to form the Community Help Covid-19 Sussex group (further details on how to help can be found on the group's Facebook page of the same name).

Claire said: "I have got what we need as a family but I have seen people. elderly people, with empty trolleys. It has broken my heart.

"I have got a beauty business and, to be honest with you, I have had no clients this week. So I just wanted to use my time wisely.

"I wanted to do something before it is too late and vulnerable people are put into quarantine.

"So I have been collecting items such as bread, nappies, toilet roll, to make care packages for people."

As well as this, she has made batches of soup for more than 20 people, with help from fellow volunteers Natalie Stone and Laura Henderson.

But she said the most important thing right now for the scheme to succeed was donations, asking anyone who could spare items such as toilet roll, tinned food, soap, noodles, rice and pasta.

Claire said: "It's down to us to collect these things. I don't want this to be about me at all, it is just a way in which we can help the elderly or most vulnerable.

"I have seen a few campaigns on social media to help people in Brighton and Hove, but elderly people are not always on social media.

"I have made forms which people can put through vulnerable people's letterboxes, saying what they can do to help and leaving a phone number so that person has someone to talk to."

The forms, like that below, were inspired by the #ViralKindness scheme started by Falmouth-based advertiser Becky Wass.

The Argus:

If you can, please print one or more copies of this out, fill it in and post it through neighbours' letterboxes. Let them know they are not alone.

Claire is now urging as many people as possible to help in whatever way they can.

She said: "I'm a single parent, there's only so much I can do. I don't know what I'm going to get from this appeal, but even if it's just a bag of rice and a pack of toilet roll it can help."

She also said she had been shocked by the sudden changes in Brighton and Hove as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Claire said: "It's been baffling for everyone and the situation is obviously concerning.

"For me, it's not the illness itself that is the most worrying thing but the people who have panic-bought items leaving the elderly or people looking after children with nothing left.

"It's concerning  that people could be in quarantine and without certain things.

"I feel like, in this situation, you have got to try and help. Supermarkets are not going to give away food, it's down to us.

"The community has got to come together and reach out to people who may be too embarrassed to ask for help.

"I struggled myself to do my shopping. I had to drive around five supermarkets to get the things I need for my daughter and I .

"So I thought, 'what way can I try and help people get what they need'.

"The main thing is to get donations for people who are really desperate. People who bulk-bought at first can now give back and help their community."