CROSSGATES residents and community groups are joining forces to lift spirits during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Facebook page called Crossgates Together has been set up so locals can access helpful information and daily doses of positivity.

Ross Bennet, who created the page, has been moved by the remarkable response from the community.

"It's actually quite emotional thinking about how the village is helping each other right now," he told the Press.

"People are going the distance to raise smiles and take care of Crossgates and everyone in it.

"It's been amazing to see the page reach more than 1,000 likes and to have so many people leaving contributions.

"One day, in years to come, I hope that the village will be able to look back on this period of our lives with some positive memories.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to remember that we were all there to help each other.

"Everything is such doom and gloom right now, so this page was designed to highlight all the good things that are taking place in Crossgates and to spread some joy and positivity.

"The shops have really stepped up and the community council are fully behind the page and what it's trying to achieve."

Shops and businesses have changed their approach in efforts to help the community with ice-cream shop Divito's now providing food and toiletries for those who need it, and The Munch Box are also providing free deliveries.

Robert Kirkwood, who unfortunately had to close his Premier Shop on Main Street, is still open for business in the nearby Mossgreen store and the shop has a hardship fund in place to help those in need.

Ross said: "The fund is there for anyone who may need a little bit of assistance in buying some essentials like milk, bread and butter, that type of thing.

"The fund is added to by people in the village and one person made an anonymous £50 donation.

"Everyone knows everyone in Crossgates and seeing this many people be so generous is heartwarming."

The Facebook page provides a daily briefing every morning on latest news and developments such as business opening hours, useful support and shop numbers, group initiatives, fitness ideas, fun projects for kids and more.

Ross says the page is being inundated with messages of goodwill that he and Allan Shields, group admin, are doing their best to put out to people.

"I guess the only rule for the page is that every post has to be either positive or supportive," he added.

"As a village, we want to have each other's back.

"I'd ask everyone to check-in on their neighbours to make sure they need anything, and to raise some smiles whenever you can."