Now more than ever, we have to stick together as a state to get through the coronavirus pandemic.

This is why the Mercury is launching the #togetherfortassie campaign.

Alongside our news coverage we want to help unite the state during this crisis by providing practical support and advice, celebrating frontline workers, assisting businesses and helping to maintain community spirit in a time of isolation.

KINDNESS PANDEMIC

This category will be your one-stop shop to ask for help, call out good deeds and inspire kindness.

We are already seeing so many good Samaritans reaching out to others.

People are delivering groceries to self-isolating neighbours, posting notes of thanks to their local shopkeepers and performing random acts of kindness.

Others are doing their bit to lift the mood on their street by putting up their Christmas lights or performing a flash mob from their balcony.

We want readers to tell us who is in need and to shine a light on all those virtual hugs being shared from a socially safe distance.

If you have a story of kindness, caring idea or know a Tasmanian doing good deeds, please get in touch with us on Facebook or use the hashtag #togetherfortassie on social media.

The other #togetherfortassie categories:

SUPPORT LOCAL

LIVE LOUNGE

HOBART FLORIST SPREADS JOY

FLOWERS have an incredible ability to bring a smile to people’s faces.

It is for this reason Hobart florist Botanical is spreading joy across the city in the form of bright blooms placed in ordinary places.

After a string of cancellations stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Botanical’s Kate Sice decided to take the business back to its core.

“Flowers are such a beautiful medium to work with and have such an emotive power, so we’re using it and sending love,” she said.

Tiny glass jars with flowers are being dropped throughout the city with a note reading, “Take me and smile”.

The first flower drop took place on Thursday through North Hobart, with yesterday’s drop through the Hobart CBD.

“A man rang up and he said he was having a really tough day and it was just such a big thing to him,” Kate said.

People have also been messaging on social media to express their gratitude.

“Each day we’ll do something that’s a little bit different, and we will go out to the outskirts and residential suburbs as well,” she said.

Ms Sice said amid the pandemic, there had been a huge downturn in event work, weddings and corporate clients but a big rise in community support.

“Among all of this, the most positive thing about it is the spirit of the Tasmanian community. Everyone is banding together, they’re supporting each other,” she said.

“We’re getting people coming in and buying a bunch of flowers, just for home, because they want to support a small business.

“I think that’s wonderful. Get out there, buy your coffee, support your local businesses around you. Support the small guys.”

She said they were even doing their bit to support small businesses.

“One local grower, who we usually only buy very few flowers off, has a stall at the market but it’s been cancelled,” she said.

“Instead of us buying from Melbourne, we’ve rang her up and said, ‘if you have extra flowers, bring them in’.

“That’s how we’re trying to support the community.”

— KASEY WILKINS

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

FOR HUTCHINS School staff member John Groom, rolling up his sleeves and giving blood isn’t just about donating to help the one in three Australians who will require blood at some point.

It’s about demonstrating to his students how they can contribute to society in a meaningful way.

“We encourage the boys and staff to get involved with the community in some way and to give back where they can,” Mr Groom said.

“We’re at a time of global risk at the moment and approaching a period where there is going to be a big need for blood. it will save lives so it’s important we all learn that.”

Mr Groom, 51, said he had been donating blood for most of his adult life as it was something close to his heart.

“I was the beneficiary of a blood donation at birth, but that aside, I’m really conscious about looking for opportunities to give back,” he said.

“I started donating after I was encouraged to by my mother, who has donated all her adult life.”

Anyone interested in contributing to the more than 29,000 Australian blood donations needed every week, visit www.donateblood.com.au/donate

— JAMES KITTO

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

A MARGATE mother has flagged a suggestive idea for Tasmanians to keep in mind during unprecedented times.

Ursula Dalton has been collecting flags for about 20 years and flying them outside her Channel Hwy home.

She said she tries to match them as best she can with day-to-day happenings.

“Each long weekend I put up a big yellow smiley face flag,” she said.

“Some people collect handbags or shoes. I collect flags.”

Ms Dalton said she hoped her “keep calm and carry on” flag hoisted this week sends a message to community members facing coronavirus anxieties.

“I thought it was an appropriate mantra to add,” she said.

“We need to think of the kids, the elderly and those in need. We’ve just got to stick together.”

Ms Dalton, a teacher, said she’d received a warm response from a number of community members who’d noticed her latest flag while travelling along the highway.

“I’ve had a few students mention it to me which has provided some nice conversations at school,” she said.

“If it gives some people a laugh or educates them in one way or another then I’m happy.”

— JAMES KITTO

CHEF’S SUPER GESTURE

UNAVOIDABLE global circumstances may have put Sorell dad Joshua Phillips’ business plans on hold, but his community spirit has not been dented.

Earlier this year Mr Phillips, a chef by trade, quit his kitchen job to launch a touring food van service offering visitors to the state gourmet Tasmanian-ingredient dishes.

After spending $60,000 turning his tourism venture idea into a reality, the brakes were put on the launch of his business, so he decided to turn his attention to helping others.

Atypical of some current grocery buying trends nationwide, Mr Phillips has posted a selfless offer online to help elderly and disabled Tasmanians access the food they need.

He this week set up a Gumtree ad offering to put his new van to use while giving vulnerable Tasmanians some assistance.

“In the absence of fee-paying tourists it’s a shame to let the bus go to waste,” the post reads.

“So, I’m offering up my time to any vulnerable members of my community to help them get to and from Coles or Woolworths Sorell for the early elderly shopping hour – 7-8am.”

Mr Phillips said the uncertainty surrounding where his next pay check was coming from was causing stress, but said there was a bigger issue at hand.

“I’m just one man with one bus but if I can help out someone just that little bit during these times then that’s a good thing,” he said.

“Food is my thing, I know how to communicate to people with it. It’s something we all need while we’re being told to stay home.

“At the moment my Gumtree ad is just putting the feelers out there for any vulnerable members of the Sorell area who might need help.”

He said in the short term he and his young family will lean on his wife’s teaching salary to get by.

Mr Phillips does not wish to profit from his community gesture but said he is asking for “$5-$10 or whatever is affordable” to cover petrol costs.

— JAMES KITTO

LENDING A HAND

TASMANIANS are harnessing social media to come closer together during self-isolation and coronavirus fears.

UTAS worker Alexis Wildsmith said her newly set up Southern Tasmania COVID-19 Community Support Group has “exploded” in size, with 7400 members connected as of noon Friday.

“I’m hoping the group can be a buffer and help connect people through the internet if they can’t get together,” she said.

“I hope we can have Facebook group cooking sessions, share about our days and maybe have watching parties of movies.”

The well-established Good Karma Network Facebook groups have seen members from various suburbs create posts and special leaflets to help vulnerable neighbours with daily tasks like shopping, posting mail or chatting on the phone.

The flyer reads: “If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help.”

Other Facebook groups have been created and inundated with #caremongering, #kindnesspandemic and #loveyourneighbour (#LYN) hashtags to offer community support.

Several Love Your Neighbour groups were set up in states across Australia, circulating hashtags within the group for users to request specific advice or share certain skills and services.

One Lindisfarne local kicked off proceedings by offering to provide drop offs and collections to neighbouring suburbs.

“(I) am able to buy groceries, get scripts or ‘adopt’ a relative or friend who may need help,” the helpful local said.

Some group members have shared positive stories and coping tips from their isolation experience, with one Tasmanian saying a friendly chat over the fence led to book sharing and a new friendship.

“(My neighbour) loaned me his autobiography, I’m learning about his life in pre WWII Poland,” the post said.

“Amazing what you can achieve while maintaining a safe distance!”

The groups are also serving as a reminder of how to assist and treat people in the outside world, with one Woolworths shopper asking others to be kind to service staff.

“I personally thanked two staff members at Woolies Sandy Bay today,” she said.

“It really threw them for a moment because they probably are ready for complaints and abuse.

“Try some personal gratitude with those at the frontline.”

Another post directed at shoppers urged people who were able to continue working to find innovative ways to support their local businesses, sharing the hashtags #supportlocal and #together.

“If you don’t want to attend lessons, consider still paying and making it up later,” the post said.

“Buy a gift certificate from a local restaurant to use later.

“Remember, large corporations will recover from a month or two of lost income, small businesses may not!”

The social media platforms have spread information about volunteer services for elderly, sick, immunocompromised and disabled people.

A Cart Buddy service was shared to bring no-contact grocery and chemist delivery to locals.

Others have reached out directly for help on the groups, with one mother saying she was struggling to feed her son with a disability.

“My son will only eat my home made spaghetti (bolognese) sauce,” she said.

“There is no mince in Woolworths.”

A kind stranger replied to the mother’s online comment, offering 800g of frozen mince from their freezer.

Those who had already received help were also eager to share their stories and express gratitude to friendly neighbours.

One parent said their son was diagnosed with scarlet fever and needed rare teeth pain liquid.

The parent said their “sweet” neighbour helped buy the vulnerable parent and son the medication to reduce their risk of contracting coronavirus.

“(My neighbour) drove us into Sorell to a chemist,” the thankful parent said.

“She was our version of a miracle and in return we help each other where we can.”

The Dodges Ferry local said they were “blessed” to be surrounded by a close knit community.

“It’s a rocky road ahead, but made easier with support from those around us.”

Tasmanians can join the growing list of Facebook support groups by searching Love Your Neighbour Tasmania, Southern Tasmania COVID-19 Community Support Group, or Good Karma Network, followed by a specific suburb in the search bar.

People can also circulate messages through hashtags like #caremongering, #kindnessepidemic, #supportlocal and #together.

Love Your Neighbour hashtags include #LYNhelp, #LYNoffer, #LYNquestion or #HELPED as per group instructions

— ANNIE MCCANN

If you have a story of kindness, caring idea or know a Tasmanian doing good deeds, please get in touch with us on Facebook or use the hashtag #togetherfortassie on social media.