Charities in Hertfordshire have been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis as people are being urged to stay at home.

Supermarket shelves are also being stripped bare by panic buyers, making it difficult for volunteers to find much-needed supplies.

The Government announced a lockdown on Monday (March 23) as he ordered people to only go out for essential reasons.

But some charities are still continuing in the face of the pandemic and are looking for donations and/or volunteers.

Here are some charities in Hertfordshire that are looking for support:

New Hope

The homeless charity based in Watford provides sanctuary for people rough sleeping.

It has launched an emergency appeal for financial donations to help feed people who use its service. It is also appealing for volunteers and items.

If you would like to volunteer, go to newhope.org.uk/volunteer or email egurney@newhope.org.uk.

To donate, go to: newhope.org.uk/covid19crisisresponse

Emmaus Hertfordshire

The homeless charity put out a desperate Facebook appeal for toilet rolls last Monday (March 16). Since then, 280 rolls have been donated.

But due to the lockdown, it has asked people to avoid item donations until its doors are open again.

It is now only accepting financial donations. To donate, go to: emmaus.org.uk/hertfordshire

Hygiene Bank

The Hygiene Bank - which has branches in Watford and St Albans, works hard to ensure that everyone, including those who are struggling on a low income or homeless, is able to clean themselves.

It also supplies toiletries to Emmaus homeless charity.

To donate to the Hygiene Bank, go to: easho.org.uk/apps/giftregistry/find?first-name=The+hygiene+bank

Small Acts of Kindness

The charity aims to tackle loneliness in elderly people by distributing bags filled with winter essentials.

Due to the pandemic, it is no longer accepting item donations and is only accepting financial donations.

To donate, go to: smallactsofkindness.co.uk

Electric Umbrella

The charity helps adults with learning disabilities through music and has now switched to online music sessions to follow government guidelines.

But it is still asking for donations so it can deliver its services online.

To donate, go to: justgiving.com/electric-umbrella