WITH the Coronavirus pandemic impacting individuals as well as establishments, a number of Island businesses have extended their arms to the community ­— to offer solace, respite and services to those most vulnerable, every which way they can.

The global pandemic has had a colossal affect on businesses small and large, and the Island has been no exception ­— but many local businesses and groups have nonetheless taken it upon themselves to reach out.

In Brading, The Yarbridge Inn is providing free meals for the elderly and vulnerable, cooking and delivering food door to door.

Morrison, in Newport, has delivered bunches of flowers to all the staff of nearby residential homes and schools, including Nine Acres and Carisbrooke Primary School, while Sainsbury's has dished out bouquets of flowers to elderly shoppers.

Over in Niton, volunteers have set up a community response and back-up team dedicated to helping residents get vital supplies, and in Ryde, Aspire, Ryde Town Council and various other organisations have banded together to provide a support platform.

One of many offering home delivery, the Living Larder team, based in Ventnor, have pulled out all the stops to deliver hundreds of boxes of fresh vegetables around the Island, and in Sandown, Bakes and Cakes have donated cupcakes to St Mary's Hospital and St Vincent’s Retirement Home.

In Lake, KFC made a food donation to Springfield Nursing Home staff, while All Seasons Flowers and Gifts, Shanklin, presented flowers to the residents.

These are just a few examples of the numerous good deeds happening up and down the Isle.