Premier League footballers have launched a multimillion pound fund to support NHS charities in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The captains of Manchester United and Manchester City - Harry Maguire and David Silva - have joined their counterparts of every other team in the league in launching the 'Players Together' fund.
They made a collective announcement on social media via Liverpool ’s Jordan Henderson, quickly followed by a host of other big names putting their name to the fund.
It has been set up and organised by the Professional Footballers’ Association, supported by the Premier League and the 20 captains brokered the final arrangements on their WhatsApp group over the past few days, the Mirror reports.
The PFA have already paid in £1.5million with a personal donation from Gordon Taylor while the players are making personal donations and also donations from their monthly salaries.
They are targeting NHS charities with £4m already paid in and more to follow but they are making it clear that they want to play their role and donate generously.
The plan was already underway before a stinging rebuke from Health Minister Matt Hancock last week - but this proves the players point and highlights their frustration they are doing their bit.
They will keep the donations and contributions anonymous but hope to raise millions more over the next few months and plan to make it a permanent fixture.
The message circulated on social media finished with the message: “Our prayers and thoughts go out to everybody affected by this crisis.
“By sticking together we will get through this. Stay Home, Protect The NHS, Save Lives. #PlayersTogether.”
Wednesday night's announcement is completely separate to the ongoing stand-off between players and clubs over taking pay cuts amid the coronavirus crisis.
At the heart of the dispute is the players insisting they will happily give up some of their pay - but it is their pay and they want to give it to who they want and not straight back to wealthy owners.
Talks will continue between the players and their respective clubs with a further Premier League meeting expected next Friday, April 17.
The statement in full
"Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it’s needed most in this COVID-19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need. This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.
"We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogether, and have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most.
"NHSCT is the national umbrella organisation for over 150 registered NHS charities, working closely with the Charity Commission, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England to represent, champion, and support the NHS’ official charities. NHSCT are the official charity partner of the NHS nationally.
"The contributions that this initiative will generate will help NHSCT quickly grant funds to the front line to support in a number of ways, including to help enhance the well-being of NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by COVID-19 as well as helping them in their work supporting many other critical areas of need both now and in the longer term.
"#PlayersTogether is about we, as players, collaborating together to create a voluntary initiative, separate to any other club and league conversations, to help get much needed funds to those that need it right now. To try and help, along with so many others in the country, make a real difference.
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to everyone affected by this crisis. By sticking together, we will get through this.
"Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.
"#PlayersTogether"
