As part of the ‘Keep Doing Good’ initiative by Pompey in the Community, 11 thoughtful teenagers put together an appeal on social media as well as contacting local supermarkets to obtain hand sanitiser, chocolates, puzzles, Sudoku magazines, hand cream and books.
The items were used to put together ‘care packages’ to distribute to people in need. Also in the packages were ‘happy letters’ to help ‘cheer residents up’ as well as a Covid-19 guide to help people stay safe.
Sarah Musson, 16, from Portsmouth, said; ‘The team realised the importance of helping elderly people and the issues of isolation. We wanted to make sure that people were not being forgotten and are supported during this time.’
The initiative was part of the English Football League’s (EFL) ‘Tackling Loneliness Together Project’ in which Pompey were one of 32 football club community groups involved in the project. Funding was provided thanks to a grant of £810,000 from the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport.
Sarah added: ‘Keep Doing Good has been one of the best experiences of my life. Seeing the impact I've had on other people and seeing how big of an impact it has made on me as a person has really changed the way I see myself and the world.
‘It's been the best two weeks of my life and has made a significant impact on me as well as helping those in need in the community.’
Portsmouth resident, Marilyn Bishop, was one of the grateful recipients of the packages.
Marilyn said: ‘I want to thank the young people for our care packages. It was such a surprise and very much appreciated - not just for the lovely, generous contents but for the way in which they were presented with so much care.
‘The icing on the cake was the letters - so very thoughtful and caring.’
After meeting the youngsters at a social distance to receive the package, Marilyn said the teenagers were ‘a credit to their schools and to Pompey in the Community’.