Crystal Palace defender Martin Kelly has opened up on just how important it is to him and his family to support the NHS through the Players' Initiative.
The subject of footballers' wages has been a hot topic of debate during the lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, with health secretary Matt Hancock last month calling on Premier League stars to do their bit for society by taking a pay cut.
At the time of his comments, Premier League stars had already been in discussion about what they could do to support those fighting on the NHS frontline amid the pandemic, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson leading the talks.
It was subsequently announced that Premier League players had launched a collective initiative to help generate funds for the NHS and distribute them where they are needed most, in partnership with NHS Charities Together.
Many clubs and players have supported the NHS and various charities separately through donations and gestures, with Crystal Palace and the Palace for Life Foundation recently launching a partnership with City Harvest London to provide meals for frontline NHS staff and vulnerable people.
At the start of the lockdown, Palace star Wilfried Zaha also reached out as co-owner of ZoProperties to support NHS staff by offering to open up properties in the capital to healthcare workers battling the virus – free of charge.
And Kelly has now explained the importance of helping the NHS and why it has a personal meaning for him and his family.
“Our NHS is taken for granted sometimes,” he said, speaking to Palace's club website.
“We understand [that] – me especially with Katherine, my partner, being an Intensive Care Nurse.
“She isn’t working during these times, of course, with [their newborn daughter] Gia being so young, but she is looking to get back into work when she can.
“Katherine updates me with what her friends and colleagues have been saying on her WhatsApp groups, and it has been a really difficult time for them. She has been showing support to them and looking forward to seeing them all as soon as possible.
“The Players’ Initiative, all the players were right on board straight away with helping out in any way we possibly could. We understand how hard it is in the NHS at the minute with the virus.”
