With the sporting world at a standstill, Premier League Players launched a collective initiative on Wednesday evening to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative – named #PlayersTogether – has partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) and aims to help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline.
In a move that saw players across the Premier League upload the same statement to their individual social media profiles, the initiative has rightly been placed at the top of today’s (Thursday) online news platforms.
#PlayersTogether pic.twitter.com/e7uWYIOhL2
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) April 8, 2020
While the players explained they were collaborating together to create a voluntary initiative, separate to any other league and club conversation, it is easy to miss the incredible work being done by clubs themselves to support the most vulnerable people during lockdown. To keep you fully up to date, we have decided to create a mini round-up of all the sporting positivity that may have slipped under the media’s radar.
Whether it be one club’s new innovative idea to keep people entertained at home or a player’s act of support in these unprecedented times, we’ve got you covered.
Best of the Premier League
With the National Health Service at the forefront of everyone’s minds, Burnley Football Club are supporting the NHS by opening parts of Turf Moor to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The club’s Elite Training Centre will be available to help deal with any extra hospital capacity in and around Burnley.
Clarets Open Doors To NHS https://t.co/VGYpMQP1K9
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) March 31, 2020
The Chelsea Foundation’s Disability team are making the most of technology and video communication software to host online drop-in clinics. The initiative aims to work with parents on a 12-week personal development programme to keep children active and engaged during lockdown.
2018/19 champions Manchester City have introduced their Cityzens at Home #together campaign to help keep fans entertained from the comfort of their own home. The campaign includes ‘Play and Learn at home’ challenges, colouring in print outs for the kids and even players’ tasty favourite recipes to try for yourself.
Don't forget to give #CityzensAtHome a visit! 📱💻
It's here to bring you regularly updated news, advice and a wide range of fun and educational activities, centred on football, for the whole family to enjoy in your homes.
➡️ https://t.co/HN6rfIBhA3
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/zgCXzcvhG3— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 6, 2020
Aston Villa and Wolves have taken to Esports in order to raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice. A FIFA 20 match between Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) and Diogo Jota (Wolves) ended 5-3 to the latter and raised £4,145.47 for the charity through a virtual bucket collection.
Saturday's FIFA 20 game between @EKonsa15 and Wolves' Diogo Jota helped raise £4,145.47 for @AcornsHospice!
A huge thank you to everyone who got involved. 👏#AVFC pic.twitter.com/C6sGAtKu1M
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 6, 2020
Manchester United Foundation and football club staff kicked off this week by packaging up 30,000 food and drink items and delivering them to various places across Greater Manchester, including Stretford Food Bank and Salford Royal Hospital. The Red Devils are also part of FIFA, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation’s #beactive campaign that aims to help people stay healthy at home.
Around 30,000 items of food have been delivered to local charitable organisations in Manchester, who are dealing with impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 7, 2020
In order to combat loneliness during the outbreak, Newcastle have put a team of club staff in place to telephone elderly and vulnerable supporters who face an extended period of self-isolation. Club legend and ambassador Bob Moncur is among the team calling season ticket holders aged 70 and above, as well as other vulnerable groups, to talk football.
And last but by no means least, Crystal Palace’s official charity, Palace for Life Foundation, has set up an initiative to help keep in touch with young gamers in south London. Palace Pad Chat is a programme where young people can discuss life in isolation with a qualified mentor from the charity.
Presenting Palace Pad Chat! 🎮
Take on #PalaceForLife mentors over a game of FIFA, Fortnite or Apex Racing.
Open to ages 12-25 to discuss life during isolation over Xbox One or PS4.
Book 👉 https://t.co/el4e6dnVSa #PLKicks #LondonTogether pic.twitter.com/nnULVePBsg
— Palace for Life (@PalaceForLife) April 3, 2020
Snack Media have also launched their Fly the Flag campaign, looking to bring the sports community together to support and donate to Age UK and NHS Charities Together during these difficult times. See how you can help here.
#FlyTheFlag for @age_uk @NHSCharities this Saturday 🚩
To find out how you can help, see: https://t.co/b4bPLjIgrT pic.twitter.com/9KoMqQYshT
— Snack Media (@snackmedia) April 3, 2020
Article written by Tom Smith.
