"We cannot leave anyone behind, because we are all in this together"

By Mike Adamson, chief executive, British Red Cross

The coronavirus pandemic is clearly the most serious health emergency of our time. Trying to navigate this situation, as we all are, is incredibly challenging – but it is also shining a light on stories that fill me with pride.

Pulling together, in the most difficult of times, is what Britain does best. It’s what we have done, as the British Red Cross, for over 150 years – including through two World Wars. Every day we support some of the country’s most vulnerable people through our work with the NHS, support in the community and providing help to refugees and those in the asylum system. In the UK, we respond to an emergency every four hours – and the coronavirus outbreak is no exception.

Everyone is affected differently. Some have anxieties about self-isolating, others are carrying on with business as usual as they work on the front line. But we must focus on people who are the most vulnerable, who might otherwise be “hidden”, like those who are socially isolated, homeless or in the asylum system. We cannot leave anyone behind, because we are all in this together.

IN THE UK, WE RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY EVERY FOUR HOURS - AND THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IS NO EXCEPTION.

It’s been overwhelming to see the outpouring of kindness across the nation. From supermarkets’ early shopping slots for the elderly, to people lending a hand at their local food bank, to Becky Wass’ powerful postcard campaign to help people take care of their self-isolating neighbours, just one act of kindness can give hope to many.

A community of kindness ready to step up and help

We need your support more than ever and there are many ways to get involved. From sharing your kindness through much needed donations, to signing up to be a British Red Cross community reserve volunteer, if you're safe and well. These volunteers are on standby for whenever an emergency hits their local area. We are working now with national and local organisations on how to make the biggest impact for people. It's incredible to know that we have a community of kindness ready to step up and help.

Of course, carry on following all the official advice from the UK government and Public Health. But don't forget to treat others with kindness wherever you can - because, in these times, kindness will keep us together