The first week of Stevenage Football Club and Stevenage FC Foundation's Coronavirus Community Careline has been a huge success, with the Club playing a crucial role in supporting vulnerable people across the town…
Now closed for the weekend, the initiative launched on Monday and to date, the club has received hundreds of calls from people in-need, willing volunteers and well-wishers alike.
400 Sandwiches have been delivered to both local residents and staff at the Lister Hospital and just 24 hours into an appeal to raise £6000 in-order to keep the service running, 70% of the target has already been achieved. Click here to add to the growing total.
In addition to the Sandwiches, Kids Activity Packs, Adult Activity Packs and Strength and Balance Exercise Packs for Older Adults were handed out to various households.
To further help the local NHS, the Club is appealing for local businesses to help convert an existing area within Lister Hospital into a dedicated rest area for NHS staff, by providing items of use to help staff unwind. Click here for more information.
The Community Errands Service has been inundated with calls throughout the week, with picking up prescriptions being the most common request.
Another high-volume request, that has unfortunately had to be turned down, is to visit the Supermarket and do a food-shop on people’s behalf. Due to health and safety reasons, Food Shopping is not one of the Club’s services, but people can contact Herts Help to receive this service.
Working alongside local Food Banks, drops and deliveries across Stevenage have been made throughout the week, as the Club acts as a mediator to both pick up items from peoples houses to drop at various Food Banks, as well as to deliver Food Bank drops to residences in the local area.
The media have helped spread the word by providing terrific coverage throughout the week. Click here for the feature that BBC News produced, which aired on the BBC News at 1, 6 and 10pm across the nation on Tuesday.
Other national media coverage included written pieces in the Guardian, the Times and the Daily Telegraph.
CEO Alex Tunbridge said, "This week has seen a a phenomenal amount of work carried out in the community to assist those in need at this difficult time.
"Thank you to all our supporters and local businesses who have helped support the operations this week. As week as to our staff who have been fantastic ambassadors for the Club.
"We look forward to increasing our engagement next week and continuing to contribute to our community."
The Careline opens back up at 10am on Monday when Stevenage Football Club and Foundation staff will be ready to take your call.
