From Sadio Mane to Paul Pogba – here is how sport stars are fighting coronavirus

Top athletes often have to be selfish in their pursuit of glory but the coronavirus outbreak has unveiled an altruistic streak in superstars from a variety of sports. 

With the illness causing havoc around the globe and disrupting daily life for millions, the likes of Russell Wilson, Sadio Mane, Paul Pogba, and JJ Watt are doing their bit to help the worst affected.   

The area of society worst hit by coronavirus is of course healthcare with provisions likely to be stretched to breaking point in the coming weeks. 

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife have donated a million meals

Sadio Mane spontaneously donated £41,000 to help combat coronavirus in Senegal

Sadio Mane spontaneously donated £41,000 to help combat coronavirus in Senegal

Mane made the remarkable gesture of donating £41,000 to the Senegal health organisation to help bolster resources in his homeland.   

Coronavirus is still in the early stages of an outbreak within the African country with 27 confirmed cases and two recoveries but there is a growing realisation that the situation could deteriorate fast.

The Liverpool winger is said to have made the donation spontaneously. 

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min joined Mane in donating a lump sum. He gave £68,000 to a non-profit organisation in South Korea.

Son wrote: ‘Even though it is far away [from me], as we face increased corona damage, I wanted to ensure Covid-19 no longer spreads, and to the vulnerable, I hope it will help you a bit’ 

Son Heung-min is another top Premier League player to have donated money for the cause

Son Heung-min is another top Premier League player to have donated money for the cause

Kylian Mbappe was one of the PSG players featured in their instructional video

Kylian Mbappe was one of the PSG players featured in their instructional video 

In addition to the money, Mane also appeared in a video for Liverpool, encouraging people to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly to prevent the virus spreading. 

A number of other athletes have echoed that message on social media, reinforcing the medical advice. 

PSG had Kylian Mbappe, Marco Veratti and other players feature in a video instructing people not to sneeze without covering up and dry their hands properly. 

Paul Pogba posted this on Instagram and is raising money to provide healthcare resources

Paul Pogba posted this on Instagram and is raising money to provide healthcare resources

Those on the front-line in this battle with coronavirus are working around the clock and Manchester United midfielder Pogba donated money to help healthcare professionals.   

His aim on his 27th birthday was to raise £27,000 by donations, which he then matched. 

The Frenchman wrote on Instagram: ‘The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the health and lives of many, including children. 

‘The impact of a large-scale outbreak, especially on poor and vulnerable children, can be immense. 

England cricketer Sam Billings offered to help anyone who needs a hand with shopping

England cricketer Sam Billings offered to help anyone who needs a hand with shopping 

Pogba raised £27,000 for his 27th birthday and deserves credit for his altruistic streak

Pogba raised £27,000 for his 27th birthday and deserves credit for his altruistic streak 

‘At times like this we need to come together. With your help, I am hoping today to raise £27,000 to help fight this war and I will double the amount if we reach the goal. If we manage to reach our target, it will be enough to provide:

‘*333,332 pairs of disposable gloves for health workers + *2,777 surgical masks to help prevent the disease spreading further + *9,615 sets of vented goggles.’

Chelsea are also providing for medical workers. NHS staff are able to stay in the club’s Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge free of charge, with the costs all covered by owner Roman Abramovich. 

Plenty of the staff at local hospitals would otherwise have long commutes home and potentially expose others to coronavirus.  

Chelsea are allowing NHS staff to use the Millennium Hotel free of charge for two months

Chelsea are allowing NHS staff to use the Millennium Hotel free of charge for two months

Life has become a challenge even for those uninfected by coronavirus as widespread redundancies mean people cannot work to feed their family. 

Aston Villa and Fulham donated more than 1,350 meals to various homeless charities and housing shelters in the local areas near the clubs in Birmingham and south west London respectively. 

Brighton donated all fruit and vegetables, diary products and sandwiches to Sussex Homeless Support. 

With matchday operations employing hundreds of people in the Premier League, the Seagulls also took the admirable step of committing to pay more than 600 casual workers who would have otherwise been out of pocket with fixtures suspended.  

Tottenham also donated over 1,200 food and drink supplies to local charity after Premier League game against Manchester United was postponed.

Across the Atlantic, Seattle Seahawks quarter-back Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara are donating one million meals to help those going hungry from the pandemic. 

He wrote on Twitter: ‘The world needs us ALL. Unprecedented times. Ciara & I are supporting our community in Seattle by donating 1 million meals with Seattle @FoodLifeLine. Rally & support your local food bank. Let’s all keep the Faith during this difficult time.’ 

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry mirrored the gesture by committing to give a million meals to his local community.  

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt donated £285,000 to the Houston Food Bank.

Stephen Curry has donated a million meals to his local community food bank

Stephen Curry has donated a million meals to his local community food bank 

Many of those affected, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions have been told to stay indoors. 

This has prompted offers of a help with shopping from the likes of Sam Billings and Millie Bright.       

England and Kent cricketer Billings wrote on Twitter: ‘Anyone in Canterbury, who knows of someone or they themselves need their shopping done for them just shout.’

England and Chelsea star Bright posted: ‘If anyone knows of any elderly or those most vulnerable Surrey based that may need help with shopping or looking after pets message me and I’ll do all I can to help.’ 

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