An OAP went without food for two days before a community support service heard about him and came to his rescue.

The elderly man lives alone in an isolated Teignbridge village and had no food in his cupboard until a food parcel was delivered to him.

The support group only heard about his plight when he called a hotline for vulnerable people recently launched by Teignbridge Council.

The Teignbridge Community Support Hotline is a back-up to the support operation already in place, which includes food parcel deliveries coordinated by central and local government, NHS responders checking in on patients, and local voluntary sector groups providing care and advice.

The hotline lets anyone not on the radar make helpers aware of their needs, and will be especially important for people who are elderly or disabled and unable to leave their home, and are desperate for help.

Cllr Gordon Hook, leader of the council, said the elderly man called and spoke to the food hub coordinator.

‘He said he had no food in the cupboard and had not eaten for two days,’ Cllr Hook explained.

‘We took his address and one of our staff members took a food parcel from our delivery centre straight round to his home, so he had provisions within two hours. He is now on our radar.

‘We are working hard to maintain all essential services, as well as playing a full part in the combined local government partnership to deliver extra support for businesses and our most vulnerable citizens.

‘I want to thank all the wonderful staff at Teignbridge who have shown courage and flexibility in responding to the many challenges posed by the impact of COVID-19, many of them above and beyond the call of duty.

‘I cannot speak highly enough of the outstanding commitment being shown by so many at this uniquely challenging time.’

The hotline number is 01626 215512 and will be answered 9am-5pm on weekdays, while the email address is [email protected].