A regional daily has hit home on the message of social distancing by showing a medic kissing his son through the barrier of a window.

Stoke-on-Trent daily The Sentinel splashed this morning on the image of Jonathan Leadbeater, a frontline NHS worker who has moved into a caravan to avoid putting his family at risk of coronavirus, and his 21-month-old son Mason.

Sentinel chief features writer Richard Ault tracked down Mr Leadbeater after seeing the photograph on Facebook, with the 29-year-old opening up on the decision to leave his family home while he continues to treat COVID-19 patients.

Richard told HTFP the front page, pictured, had presented a “powerful message” to the newspaper’s readers.

He said: “I saw the picture we used on our front page on Facebook. A minute or so later, as I was about to message the poster, he sent me a direct message.

“I asked for a contact number for the family involved and then set up the interview. We ran the story in a prominent slot on our main Facebook page, and also in our COVID-19 Facebook group, as well as in the print edition.

“They have had some really nice comments on Facebook, with people recognising Jonathan’s sacrifice, saluting his bravery and also commenting on what a fine example he is to people who may be finding it difficult to stay at home during the lockdown.

“I’d like to think Jonathan’s story has a powerful message for these very strange times.

“If Jonathan can isolate himself from his family to treat patients with COVID-19, then surely the rest of us can stay at home – many of us with our families – to do our bit to help protect the NHS.”

Independent publisher DNG Media has also showed its appreciation for NHS and care workers by asking readers to send in photos for its front pages.

The company runs print titles the Dumfries Courier, Annandale Observer, Annandale Herald and Moffat News.

DNG Media editor Fiona Reid told HTFP: “After several weeks of doom and gloom, and rising death tolls on the front of our titles, I decided it was time for something more positive. So, we asked readers to nominate their friends and family members working for the NHS or in the care sector.

“We used their pictures to produce really powerful and positive front covers, with different images on each of our four titles.

“It was massively well received by readers, so much so that we followed it up this week with a centre page spread featuring 50 photos of other key workers and another thank you message.

“Once again, we were inundated with pics, so we’re doing a second spread next week.”

The Paisley Daily Express has backed a campaign to supply hospital patients fighting COVID-19 with essentials while their loved ones can’t visit.

The online appeal asks people to make a donation from an Amazon wish list of items that people would normally be brought by friends and family, or to buy treats for medics.

Campaign founder John McGlynn told the Express: “The response has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“Within 12 hours of setting it up, we had 300 people who had joined and were making donations.

“It has just kept climbing ever since and the generosity of people across Renfrewshire has been mind blowing.

You can read all our coronavirus-related stories here.