AFC Portchester scheme to help community during coronavirus crisis is ‘growing arms and legs all day long’

Football clubs across England are facing uncertain financial futures in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Hot meals are ready to be delivered from AFC Portchester's Crest Finance Stadium to local people. Picture: AFC Portchester FC.Hot meals are ready to be delivered from AFC Portchester's Crest Finance Stadium to local people. Picture: AFC Portchester FC.
Hot meals are ready to be delivered from AFC Portchester's Crest Finance Stadium to local people. Picture: AFC Portchester FC.

But that has not stopped AFC Portchester pledging their support for those who need it most in the community.

Club chairman Paul Kelly and caterer Amy Wells knew they needed to do something when realising the seriousness of the coronavirus epidemic.

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That resulted in the Wessex League Premier Division club signing up to the Covid-19 mutual support group - an initiative that has been launched across the country.

They then put the word out and a number of volunteers have stepped forward from the area to offer help in any way they can.

Now the most vulnerable and those self-isolating in Portchester and beyond are being delivered food packages, prescriptions and having their dogs walked.

It's a real show of unity from the community to do all they can to come this unprecedented time.

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Local businesses are also getting involved, offering food and other items while one has provided a cash injection.

‘I set up a group of volunteers last week when all this came to a head,' said Kelly.

‘Basically, I put an email out to community and club members and got about 20 volunteers involved.

‘We’ve set up this group and registered with the national Covid-19 mutual group.

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‘At this present time we’re delivering and collecting food packages for people, collecting prescriptions and taking dogs for walks for the eldery.

'The season got expunged so we had to do something and put something back into the community.

‘In times like these everyone needs to pull together.

'We’re a community-based football club and the bottom line is we just want to help everyone that we can locally.

‘We’re opening it up as and when people ask but we want to keep it in the community of Portchester.

‘But we won’t turn anyone away.

‘We’ve had people that are struggling for prescriptions.'

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Portchester have also opened up the clubhouse kitchen where Wells is working hard preparing hot ready meals to be delivered across the community.

Those are available to purchase at £3 per meal and Kelly has had a number of orders placed.

‘We’ve got a drop-off centre for food donations at the stadium.

‘During the working day, drop offs are from 10am-11am.

‘The hot food meals that we’re delivering, people are purchasing those for £3.

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‘The local community association that do the hub have been overrun with people wanting food delivered.

‘It started off for the vulnerable but we’ve had calls from quite a few people that I know locally that are phoning for these ready meals delivered and taking advantage of good value, we’re doing them at a cost.

'We first got together and it just kicked off from there.

‘As the word is getting out, it’s growing arms and legs all day long.'

Anyone in need of support, wishing to make a donation or volunteer should get in touch through the AFC Portchester Covid-19 mutual support group set up on Facebook and Twitter.

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