FOR 128 years, the Herald has produced a weekly edition packed full of hyper-local news, comment, arts, sport and more. This week is no different.

If you’re making an essential trip to a shop or supermarket in recent days, please be sure to pick up a copy of the Herald - more-so than ever, we need the support of our brilliant readers.

And if you can’t make it to a shop, why not subscribe to our weekly digital edition? It’s a carbon copy of the print edition, published online at http://www.farnhamherald.com/subscribe.cfm every Thursday morning (at around 10am).

We’re straining every sinew to bring you all the latest news, celebrate acts of kindness through our #HelpingHand campaign, and some light relief too!

But we need your stories and photos too, to keep our community connected.

If you’ve got anything you’d like to share: news, photos, a big ’thank you’ for somebody who has gone the extra mile, letters, a report of your ’virtual’ club meeting, anything else – please don’t hesitate to email [email protected] or call 01252 899221.

Inside this week’s Herald, hot off the press this morning:

* Farnham Helpline launched - joining up community’s relief efforts

* Directory of available support services, both locally and across Surrey and Hampshire

* Medics make desperate plea: ’Stay at home, save lives’

* East Hampshire community rallies round to give support

* Exclusive columns from MPs Jeremy Hunt and Damian Hinds

* Directory of takeaway and home delivery services launched, with 10% off offer at Yia Yia’s Cypriot restaurant in Farnham and chance to win a meal for four

* #HelpingHand round-up of stories of goodwill and community spirit

* Try Farnham Heath End School’s #ShutdownChallenge

* Plus the usual mix of news and features: Peeps into the Past, letters, clubs, Business Briefing, arts, puzzles, sport and more.

As per the lead story in this week’s Farnham edition, today’s big news is the launch of the Farnham and Villages Coronavirus Helpline - both for those in need of support and those willing to offer a #HelpingHand.

The helpline (01252 745446) goes live at 9am today (Thursday) and seeks to bring together and co-ordinate Farnham’s relief efforts.

Based out of the Farnham Maltings, lines will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, for anybody needing help during the emergency, and who has no access to family, friends or neighbours.

There is a recorded message for assistance outside of these hours – and emails requesting assistance can be sent to [email protected] while potential volunteers are asked to email [email protected] and organisers of existing groups: [email protected]

Once a request for help has been registered, operators will go to work pairing the caller with volunteers and support groups in their neighbourhood.

The fully GDPR and DBS-compliant helpline is being led by Farnham Maltings and Farnham Town Council, supported by the Herald, but brings together a wide cross-section of the community – including many existing groups.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hampshire broke through the 250 barrier on Wednesday, with 251 positive tests now recorded.

It means Hampshire is still statistically the worst-affected county in the UK.

In neighbouring Surrey, the number of confirmed cases has also now exceeded 100, with 117 positive tests as of March 25.

National, 9,529 people have now tested positive in the UK, up 1,542 in a single day.

A total of 422 deaths have now been linked to the virus, while 135 people have made a full recovery after battling COVID-19.