A SUPPORT group which was established to help vulnerable and impoverished Drumchapel residents during lockdown has closed abruptly.

The Drumchapel Covid Mutual Aid group provided nearly 6,000 visits to around 500 residents in the G15 area, including delivering food parcels, hot meals, white goods and sanitary products.

The volunteers also worked closely with well established charities in the area, including COPE and Drumchapel Food Bank.

A handful of local takeaway’s and Glasgow restaurants donated hot meals.

The group also provided a weekend food bank from the Men Matter hub.

Tony Crawford, the leader of the group, returned to his full-time paid employment last week, and three other leaders reported an increase in their workload and less resources.

Thereafter, Councillor Elspeth Kerr announced on Facebook that the group would be closing with an almost immediate effect.

The post on May 18 said: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to post tonight that our services will be stopping on Friday.

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“One of our team members has gone back to work and the three others are dealing with an increase in capacity at our work therefore no longer have the time to put into this anymore.

“I want to thank all our volunteers for the fantastic work they have been doing here.”

This week, Tony told the Post about his upset that the group came to an end just days after he returned to work.

He said: “What the volunteers have done for Drumchapel has been nothing short of life saving, but I expect no less as Drumchapel residents always pull together to help one another out.

“I knew others were getting more hours at work so were taking a step back, but at our last meeting it was suggested looking for people to help with the coordination side of things.

“I am unaware of any communication to the volunteers group chat nor a Facebook post asking people if they’d help out.

“I just wish I was made aware the coordinators were not going to continue the support, as people in Drumchapel have built relationships with volunteers who they trust and if I had known sooner I would have reached out to other volunteers and community groups to help support the running of the group.”

Cllr Kerr, who represents Drumchapel and Anniesland, told the Post: “All of these factors were completely unavoidable but unfortunately this has meant it has become unsustainable.

“I would like to thank the volunteers and other coordinators who have worked really hard looking after our community until other organisations have set up some amazing support services.

“The community will not be left behind and we are signing up our regular people for the services of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.”