A message from the Editor: Our journalists are working harder than ever for you - but we're asking for your help in return

But we are in exceptional times and most businesses, organisations and charities across St Helens have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic; some more than others.

They are faced with unimaginable challenges.

And like them we are not immune from those challenges.

Local newspapers provide a vital public service. We report on the good as well as the bad, hold those in authority to account, question on your behalf and campaign.

In the past fortnight we have launched and supported a series of campaigns.

We’ve called on people to back St Helens’ NHS Heroes with our fundraising appeal for Whiston Hospital and have been at the forefront of coverage for #StHelensTogether, which has called on people to unite in the face of the crisis, and the regional newspaper industry's #ThereWithYou campaign.

This week we are asking for your help in return.

Since news of the coronavirus outbreak broke, our journalists have had to adapt to major changes to the way we do things – but they are working harder than ever to ensure you have the most up to date and trusted news service online and in print.

We want to ensure we are still at the heart of the community not just now, when we are needed most, but afterwards when the pandemic is largely over and some form of normality is restored.

We want to continue highlighting the achievements and successes of our people, businesses and organisations – and galvanise our readers into building a brighter future for St Helens once all this is over.

We want to see through some of the long-term campaigns we've supported – such as the calls for Helen's Law and Violet Grace's Law – and witness them make changes not only in St Helens but across the rest of the country.

But to continue to provide such coverage we need the mutual support of our readers and advertisers.

If you are a business, please pledge to back us as we continue to back you and the people of St Helens.

Consider buying a Star the next time you are doing your food shop for yourself or someone you are helping to support. If you have an elderly neighbour the chances are their weekly newspaper provides vital updates that many of them aren’t able to read about online.

Readers can be assured that picking up and reading a newspaper is safe to do so, in the same way that deliveries from Royal Mail are, as confirmed by the World Health Organisation.

If you are a loyal Star reader, thanks for sticking with us. We also ask you to bear with us over the coming weeks as we make changes to our newspapers and content in order to ensure we can continue publishing.

You will notice, for example, in this week's print edition that we have had to temporarily reduce our sports coverage while Saints and other community clubs wait with their season on hold.

Some of these clubs will be faced with their own financial challenges and will also need the town's backing.

Over the coming weeks we will continue to adapt to the changes faced by all of us but we aim to bring you more content to fit in with your current lifestyle, from additional DIY and gardens content to puzzles pages and the latest home entertainment news.

This is of course in addition to our unrivalled news coverage, and – as demonstrated over the past few weeks – we will also continue to report on the positive news stories that highlight the strong community spirit across St Helens.

In the meantime we’ll keep reporting, questioning and campaigning – and doing our very best for you.

Thank you.

Andrew Kilmurray, Editor, St Helens Star

#StHelensTogether #ThereWithYou