Community spirit is alive and well in Ross. A new group has been formed on social media for local people to discuss how best they can help those in need who live in the area.

From a comment on Facebook, which became a major discussion thread, now nearly 200 people have joined up to offer their help.

The group was born after a discussion on the Ross on Wye Notice Board on Facebook, which had been started by Tamzin Lovering. She wrote that she had wanted to help a homeless man that she’d seen in the centre of town the day before, by giving him a bag of warm clothes.

She asked if anyone in the group knew where he was, and a lengthy discussion soon followed on the comment thread; many other local people indicated that they were eager to do something to help.

Daniel Lister, who is also a Ross Town Councillor, then formed a new Facebook group: Helping Others Together in Ross-on-Wye and Close By.

The new Facebook group gives a forum for local people to discuss how they are able to help, not just homeless people in the town, but anyone in need. Daniel told the Ross Gazette: “I’m hoping that we can help others in need or people who are struggling with daily life.”

He explained that this help may come in a number of ways, for example, clearing a person’s garden, giving someone some company, or donating items to those in need of them.

Within 24 hours of the group’s creation, 110 people joined, and many members of the group introduced themselves, the skills they can possess, and what they are willing to do to help others in the area.

See this week's Ross Gazette for full story.