The Jarrow shopkeepers donating hundreds of essential items to vulnerable residents

Two Jarrow shopkeepers turned Good Samaritans have stepped up to help vulnerable residents affected by the coronavirus crisis.
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Brothers Nico and Taz Ali, who own the Scotch Estate Premier shop in Edinburgh Road, Jarrow, have donated hundreds of loaves of bread, pints of milk and other essential items to residents during the lockdown period.

The brothers, who have run the business for 30 years, have helped dozens of elderly and vulnerable residents, including those who are self-isolating and most at risk from Covid-19, living on the Scotch Estate and the surrounding areas.

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After seeing shoppers argue over loaves of bread at the wholesalers – before the strict social distancing measures were put in place on Monday, March 23 – Nico decided the business should use this uncertain time to give something back to the community.

Shopkeeper Taz Ali (centre) donates crates of bottled water to NHS staff.Shopkeeper Taz Ali (centre) donates crates of bottled water to NHS staff.
Shopkeeper Taz Ali (centre) donates crates of bottled water to NHS staff.

“We know most people in the area well, so we wanted to use this opportunity to thank the community who have supported us all these years,” he said.

“Our parents have always told us to give back to the community. Money and comes and goes – you can’t take anything with you.”

Over the last few weeks, Nico has delivered more than 250 free loaves of bread and cartons of milk to those who can’t leave their homes due to the virus –even travelling as far as Seaham to help someone in need.

Staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital collect the donations for high risk patients.Staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital collect the donations for high risk patients.
Staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital collect the donations for high risk patients.
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The shop also donated 200 crates of bottled water to NHS workers at South Tyneside and Sunderland hospitals and after finding out Hebburn Helps food bank was running low earlier this week, they turned up with crates of cereal, custard and tinned fruit.

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“Everybody has been making me cry with how grateful they are,” said Nico.

Donations of custard and cereal for Hebburn Helps earlier this week.Donations of custard and cereal for Hebburn Helps earlier this week.
Donations of custard and cereal for Hebburn Helps earlier this week.

“I feel so much better in myself when I wake up in the morning.

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“We’ll help anyone who needs anything, they just have to ask.”

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