THE Resilient Musselburgh initiative officially “stands down” today (Friday), as the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The team has been running a local emergency service since the last week in March, initially from a base at Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School before moving to Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre on Haddington Road.

The efforts, which attracted about 100 local volunteers, were coordinated by Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, Musselburgh Area Partnership and East Lothian Council workers.

Help from the community council was given by chairperson Irene Tait, vice-chairperson Bernard Harkins and secretary Margaret Stewart.

Also giving support were area partnership chairman Iain Clark and manager Stuart Baxter, as well as Jane Cummings, Pamela Martin, Donna Doherty and Trisha McGeachy from East Lothian Council.

With help from the volunteers, aid was delivered to vulnerable people in the community during the Covid-19 crisis.

Mrs Tait said: “With the help of volunteers, we have delivered hundreds of hot meals, soup and sandwiches, food parcels, hygiene products, prescriptions, activity packs for children and adults, newspapers, garden tools and much more. None of this would have been possible without our wonderful volunteers, who went above and beyond many times, so a huge thank you to them.

“We would also like to thank Tesco, Hickory, Mercat Bar & Grill at Whitecraig, Pinkie Farm Shop and many of the local shops that donated to us during this time.

“Thanks also to local organisations for their donations and help given to Resilient Musselburgh.

“Lastly, our thanks go out to our community for continuing to do the right thing.”