Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has pledged to cover three months' worth of catering costs at the Berlin hospital where he was born in order to help staff during the coronavirus crisis.
The German has already contributed to the #PlayersTogether initiative as well as, along with the rest of the Chelsea squad, making a donation to the club's charitable foundation to help the vulnerable in west London.
Rudiger, who was born at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin hospital in 1993, reached out and was told that his help would be most needed when it comes to catering, with the canteen closed to medical staff.
"I contacted the Berlin Charité before Easter and asked where I can help the most," said Rudiger.
"They told me that it’s very difficult to organise catering for the nursing staff during these days as the canteen is closed at the moment, as are all the restaurants around the hospital. I decided together with my family to overtake the catering costs for at least three months.
"I’m very thankful for everything Berlin has given me during my youth. Now I have the possibility to give something back and hope the situation will getting better very soon.“
Berlin has 5,237 confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 97 deaths.
As a club, Chelsea have been at the forefront of football's efforts to aid the fight against coronavirus.
The Blues have opened up the two hotels at Stamford Bridge to local NHS staff, free of charge, and will supply 78,000 free meals to health and social care workers over a six week period.
