With the scale of the coronovirus lockdown increasing, many people and business owners are thinking about what is the best decision for themselves, both financially and in terms of staying indoors.
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This is not the case for Ballarat Emergency Plumbing and Electrical owner Steve Farhane, who is trying to reach out to anyone in need of a helping hand.
Mr Farhane, who moved to Australia from France, bought the Ballarat business two years ago. He told The Courier he wants to help out the community who has supported him since his purchase.
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"I bought this business two years ago and Ballarat people have been very good to me," he said.
"When I initially bought the business I had a lot of apprehension... As a foreigner I thought people may see me as an outsider, but people have always been very good to me, so I decided it is time to give back."
Mr Farhane has offered to assist the elderly, disabled and other groups at high risk of catching COVID-19 in any errands they need to run, such as grocery shopping.
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He said he has been thinking of clients he has met in the past who struggle with mobility and wants to offer any help he can provide.
"The work we do we go to people's houses a lot and we have seen that there are a lot of older people who are isolated, even before coronavirus," he said.
"Some have restricted mobility and struggle to go to the shops physically, so I thought about it and realised everyone is making such a big deal about rushing to the shops while some people are stuck at home without help.
Working so closely with a lot of these people, I see how some people struggle and I just left a responsibility to help.
- Steve Farhane.
"During this time all I'm thinking is what are they doing now? Are they okay? Do they have help? Can they go to the shops?
"I just want to tell those people I'm here to help, call me on my phone and we can talk about how I can help."
The business owner encouraged any people in need of assistance to contact him on 0408 342 300.
