The Gazette caught a glimpse into the life of a delivery driver in Basingstoke, on the front line, delivering groceries to over 70s and the vulnerable during Covid-19 pandemic.

Jaspers launched their local food delivery service two days ago and deliver around Basingstoke and Tadley.

Delivery driver, Dawn Wright, 49, from Chineham, set up the food delivery service when things started looking unsettled after the lockdown.

Dawn’s team of three has already delivered four orders in the last 48 hours.

The 49-year-old uses commercial suppliers and has refrigerated vans.

Staff are under strict instructions to have no human contact when doing door stop deliveries.

Drivers go to the Reading warehouse, pick up the orders, put the food in insulated bags and deliver to the customers.

“I am personally doing deliveries in Basingstoke for the elderly and vulnerable.

“A lady in her early sixties had a nasty cold and cough and is petrified and didn’t want to go out so we took her order and gave her a seven-day food delivery.

“But we are not making much money on each delivery.

“I don’t think any of us have cried so much from people who say we have saved their lives. It’s rewarding but very challenging because I am saying to people, I can get this stock in and in two weeks’ time suppliers can be very unpredictable, and then I must find alternative supplies.

“The massive concern for the elderly is they have pets and are more worried about their animals than they are themselves,” Dawn said.

As an asthma sufferer, Dawn is worried about her health and regularly makes trips in her job to the Range, B&Q, Tesco and Homebase.

“We are wearing face masks, gloves, suits and goggles. We are not at risk and place customers delivery outside their door, then we move three metres back, they take the food from the insulated bag, close the door and then we move forward, pick up crates and take it back to the depot to be sterilised.

“My main concern is I may meet someone who has suspected Covid-19.

“So far, we have been lucky and have stayed right back but the fear is always there.

Dawn does non-food, food, pet and vegetarian deliveries.

One person’s delivery cost £55 with pet food.

A two-person order costs £73 including pet food.

Jaspers do next day deliveries, but it would be delivered within three days of placing the order.