A COMPASSIONATE member of the Shalfleet community has been supporting people in isolation during lockdown.

Pre-pandemic, Hilary Waitt, 75, had spent around a decade feeding people at the village hall. These lunches had to be cancelled in March when all church buildings were closed as a result of Covid-19.

Recognising a number of regular attendees would be in isolation, she took the decision to prepare a meal for them twice a week.

Paddy Pearson, from Bouldner, who received the meals, said: “Hilary’s delicious lunches revived me, and there was enough left over to feed me again the following day.

“The food has been something to look forward to each day and the bread and butter pudding is of the Mary Berry standard — moist, soft and moreish.”

Hilary’s tireless efforts, made more challenging by coronavirus measures, have been made possible by assistance from Island enterprises.

Medina Foods carried out deliveries while the village shop supplied ingredients for the meals.

Around 900 meals have been delivered and with lockdown now easing the service has stopped for the time being.

Meals were nutritionally balanced and delivered with treats including cream teas, cheese loaves and meringue roulades.

Hilary said “I would like to thank Avril O’Rorke for all the cakes and hard work and to Catherine and Wendy for veg preparation and shopping, and the delivery crews — John and Pam, and Jono.”