Coronavirus: Portsmouth FC stars Christian Burgess and Sean Raggett say it's a team game to beat Covid-19

Defensive duo Burgess and Sean have been out in the community, cooking up hot meals and delivering them to the most vulnerable people in our city.

Burgess, who has been with the Blues since 2015, has been spending a lot of his free time volunteering across Portsmouth.

He told The News: ‘Like many people, we've got a lot more spare time at the moment, but I think we can all use that positively.

‘At the end of the day we've all got to work together as a team, that's how we'll get to the other side of this.

‘Already it's been such a tremendous effort.’

Burgess said he was impressed how people in the city have stuck to lockdown rules.

‘If I go out for a run or a cycle, the majority of people are sticking to the guidelines really well,' he said.

‘The city has been fantastic, especially in places like the seafront.

‘From my perspective everybody has been really good.

‘We have to stick to the guidelines and work together like we have been.’

Raggett, who is on loan with the Blues from Premier League side Norwich City, tested positive for Covid-19 in March.

He said: ‘I never really had any symptoms so it was quite a big surprise for me.

‘Fortunately I didn't have any real struggle while I had it, but had to self-isolate for seven days before getting the all-clear.

‘It’s such an important time – it looks like we’re coming through a peak with the virus now so people have to keep up with the social distancing and stay indoors, unless they absolutely need to go outside.

‘Anyone that hasn’t got the message now is just being ridiculous, but I know we can all come through this.’

The pair were volunteering for the Enable Ability cafe at Landport Community Centre in Charles Street on Thursday.

Since lockdown started, the cafe has cooked up almost 2,000 meals, distributed to people in the Landport and Charles Dickens area.

From vegan curries to apple pies, the players were busy in the kitchen under the watchful eyes of professional chefs from Havant and South Downs College.

Burgess said: ‘I heard about the cafe through Pompey in the Community and thought it would be a good way to get involved.

‘The football has stopped so all were doing is keeping fit at home – everyone knows what’s going on in the world though.

‘We just want to play our part, but doing this is very rewarding.’

Raggett added: ‘I just want to help out where I can.

‘I’m not the best in the kitchen but have been peeling apples – I’m just happy to get stuck in with it.’

The team at Enable Ability say they are ‘hugely grateful’ for the support of not only Pompey, but every businesses that have supported their efforts so far.

Cafe manager Gavin Randell said: ‘People can be referred to us or get in touch directly.

‘This is a terrible situation for everyone at the moment but there are also so many people pitching in to help and that’s really heartwarming.’

Housing provider Radian has provided £2,500 in funding for the kitchen and is helping with deliveries to Portsmouth households.

The cafe has also received support from Yan Woo Chinese, Bransbury Park Butchers and Tesco, among others.

A crowdfunder is also available to keep things going; to donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/eacovid19