Patrick Byrne
BBC News

ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, external have been closed because of restrictions on visitors imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

But behind-the-scenes zoo life continues with keepers and vets caring for more than 20,000 animals which need looking after.

Image source, ZSL London and Whipsnade

"As a charity we rely on our visitors and supporters to run our zoos and conservation projects. But right now we're asking for your help to care for our animals," the ZSL website said.

"Any donation, no matter how big or small – whether it feeds one Humboldt penguin or a whole elephant herd – will make a real difference to our animals until we can open our doors again.

"We’ve proudly been open for almost 90 years, welcoming visitors and sharing the wonders of wildlife, please help us to be here for many more to come."

Racing's first four Classics of the season are postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic while Royal Ascot will not "take place as an event open to the public".

Ben Blowes' 15-hour workout raised nearly £5,000 for frontline health workers.

Funeral directors say some families of the dead "cannot instruct" them and need more support.

Image source, Getty Images

Members of the public can report "large gatherings" or anyone they feel is breaching the current lockdown restrictions, said Cambridgeshire Police.

A special page has been created, external on the force's website for people to report anyone who "significantly" flouts the ongoing lockdown rules.

Those who repeatedly break the rules, despite warnings, will face fines.

Officers will not be dispatched to minor infringements, a spokeswoman said, but mass gatherings should be reported.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A 46-year-old man has been charged with flouting the rules imposed to ensure people's safety during the coronavirus crisis.

Over a three-day period, police several times requested a man to return to his home after he was found to be in Granville Street in Ipswich without a reasonable excuse.

Despite warnings he persisted and was issued with two fixed penalty notices on Saturday, 4 April but later returned to the area again and was arrested

He has been charged with "contravening a requirement as to the restriction of movement during the emergency period - contrary to regulations of the Health Protection Regulations 2020, external".

He was released on bail and is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 20 May.

Image source, UK Government

Pete Cooper
BBC News

West Herts Hospital Trust has posted pictures on social media of two of their nurses in full personal protective equipment (PPE) but with pictures of themselves to allow patients to see what they actually look like under their masks.

The trust said the idea came from Emma Pope, one of their matrons.

Zoe Applegate
BBC News

A newly-appointed NHS volunteer from Suffolk plans to document his experience by taking selfies with those he helps.

Image source, PA

Daniel Heath, 29, from Haverhil, was prompted to volunteer because his mother and sister work in Covid-19 wards, while his partner is a cardio physiologist.

He is one of 750,000 volunteers reporting for duty from this week to help vulnerable people.

Mr Heath, whose workplace has closed and cannot be furloughed, has already helped deliver an elderly couple's prescription to them.

"I want to take a selfie with everyone I've helped from a distance, and just get them in the background waving or something, and then I can compile hundreds of pictures of all the people I've helped," he said.

"It will be nice to look back and share that with people."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Image source, Kelley Donner

A student from Anglia Ruskin University has produced a picture book to help explain the Covid-19 pandemic to youngsters, with profits from UK sales in April going to local charities.

The book, called The Day The Lines Changed, is written and illustrated by Kelley Donner, who lives in Cambridge with her husband and three young sons.

Image source, Kelley Donner

Aimed at children up to eight years old, it aims to explain what is happening in the country via the experiences of a family of green lines.

The 45-year-old, who is originally from Kansas in the United States, said: "My children have asked a lot of questions about what the coronavirus is, how it travels, where it came from, whether their grandparents will be OK, and why they can’t go to school.

"I realised teachers, parents, and caregivers need resources right now to help them explain what a pandemic is, while still giving children a much-needed positive view of the future.

"I hope this story will help to make those difficult conversations a little bit easier.”

Profits will be donated to charities including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust’s Head to Toe, which focuses on mental health, and the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.

A charity football match , externalto raise money for the NHS, featuring celebrities and former Premier League players, is to be hosted by Hemel Hempstead Town FC.

The game will see a non-league squad take on a team of famous names, on a date yet to be announced.

Image source, Hemel Hempstead Town FC

Those already signed up include former Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, ex-Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise and actor Ralf Little.

Club president and Hemel Hempstead MP Sir Mike Penning said: "It is our town's practical and fun way of saying 'thank you' to everyone in the NHS."

Image source, Kids Inspire

A charity that supports disadvantaged young people in Essex is appealing directly to qualified psychotherapists and counsellors to offer their time and expertise online.

In an open letter, the chief executive of Kids Inspire, external, Sue Bell, is asking mental health professionals to volunteer two or three hours a week of their time for their online support network.

The charity has started a "virtual therapy" programme called Talk Together, external as a direct response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Kids Inspire

"Talk Together aims to reach vulnerable children and families locally who have fallen victim to their new set of circumstances, Sue writes.

"This is a call to action .. where those in need of a trained, empathetic ear can receive an assessment to help meet their emotional needs through this challenging time."

For more information, email them here, external.

Mark Palmer spat at his wife and said, "I hope you get coronavirus and die."

A grieving son warns coronavirus is "everywhere" after his mother died with it in rural Suffolk.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

After launching an appeal last week for donations of personal protective equipment Suffolk County Council, external has now said it was willing buy items if businesses have them to offer.

Much of the stock the council is accumulating will go to non-NHS workers - care home staff, etc.

Those interested in offering items should contact the county council's purchasing department.

More than 1,900 calls have been made to a dedicated phoneline for vulnerable people.

Call handlers are reporting that people are anxious, isolated and worried despite a great sense of personal resilience and community spirit, the council said.

"There is a need for short-term food deliveries, which we can resolve swiftly," it added

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Special constables have clocked up more than 1,000 hours of duty in Norfolk over the seven days up to Sunday in support of regular officers.

A total of 65 Specials served 134 shifts and 1,005 hours of deployment between Sunday, 29 March and Sunday, 5 April as part of Norfolk Police, external efforts to protect communities and manage the demands of Covid-19.

Their work was responding to ongoing incidents, as well as engaging, explaining, encouraging and, if necessary, enforcing the government's measures restricting people's movements.

Special chief officer Darren Taylor said: "They are unpaid volunteers who are passionate about serving their communities, and I've been humbled by their response to the current situation.

“I'd like to extend my personal gratitude to each and every one of my team who has stepped forward to support and protect the NHS and save lives.”

It might be the Easter holidays but for many parents still working from home and holiday clubs cancelled, trying to keep children entertained is very difficult.

But some help is being offered by the early years team at the University of Northampton.

It is sharing resources, stories and ideas to help keep the little ones busy, including counting activities, to help keep the students engaged.

Here's Beth Harris reading Fox's Socks, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler:

Zoe Applegate
BBC News

A high school is trying to help to keep NHS staff safe on the frontline of the crisis.

Hethersett Academy's technology department has been using 3D printers to make protective face shields, following concerns about shortages.

Textile students at the school near Norwich have also joined in, making washable fabric bags to help hospital employees take their scrubs to and from work safely.

Kate Finlay, head of the design and technology department, said: "Before the schools closed, online there was a lot of talk about helping with personal protective equipment - a lot of other European countries have done it and they made the drawings available, so we’ve been using an approved face shield drawing."

Ms Finlay added there was information on Norfolk Scrubs Volunteers, external if anyone wanted to make scrubs or the bags which can then be picked up from makers’ homes.

Staff at Houghton Primary School, external in Cambridgeshire are reaching out to families struggling during the Covid-19 restrictions.

After an online plea, staff at the school in Wyton put together food packages to help families who cannot access free school meals over the Easter period.

Image source, Cambridgeshire County Council

Head teacher Georgina Young said: "I’m so proud of the amazing team we have.

"None of our staff want any of our students or their families to struggle, particularly at what is usually a time of celebration.

"I know our food parcels will be well appreciated."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The annual 10km Run Norwich, external race, postponed because of the coronavirus crisis, has been rescheduled to Sunday, 18 October.

Runners of all abilities and ages take part in what is hailed as "the largest and most critical" of the fundraising events run by Norwich City's Community Sports Foundation, external.

Image source, Run Norwich

"The money raised annually from Run Norwich helps us to continue our vital work in the community for people with disabilities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds," the foundation's website says.

"This work will become even more important in the coming months as our community relies on our support to bounce back during this difficult time.

"In addition, we have partnered with 12 other local causes, external this year to provide them with fundraising places in Run Norwich; each of these causes are under similar pressure to sustain their services for the groups that they support."

The race takes runners past some of the city’s most attractive landmarks, including Norwich Castle, The Forum, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich City Football Club, and many more.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Mercedes has made the design of a new breathing-aid device it helped develop freely available to help fight coronavirus.

The device helps patients with lung infections breathe more easily when an oxygen mask alone is insufficient.

The device was designed in conjunction with University College London.

Image source, James Tye / UCL

UCL Hospital consultant Professor Mervyn Singer said: "These devices help save lives by ensuring ventilators are used only for the most severely ill."

The UK government has ordered 10,000 of the devices.

Mercedes said they were being produced "at a rate of up to 1,000 a day" at its engine-design base in Brixworth, Northamptonshire.