Everton have launched a new initiative aimed at providing support and combating social isolation during the battle to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Run by the Toffees’ official charity, Everton in the Community, the ‘Blue Family’ campaign will target the most vulnerable members of society during the pandemic.
A £50,000 donation from the club itself will help fund initial activities, which are aimed at ensuring nobody is left behind following the recent enforced postponement of other community outreach programmes.
The initiative will distribute food parcels, offer financial assistance, and help with the collection of prescriptions and other essentials to those most in need.
A call centre will also be launched to field requests from people requiring assistance, with a referral form in place for those who wish to recommend that neighbours and/or relatives are contacted by the programme.
The club’s CEO, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “Society is facing an unprecedented challenge.
“Everton has never shied away from its responsibility as a club at the heart of the community.
“As we face up to a new reality brought by the coronavirus pandemic, we are embracing that responsibility more than ever.
“We are determined to do everything we can to provide assistance and support to our fans and the wider community, with particular focus on those at greatest risk.”
Both the club and Everton in the Community staff are working together to deliver the new campaign.
CEO of the latter, Richard Kenyon, said: “We are fully committed to doing everything we can to maintain and extend our presence in the community during this very challenging period.
“We have incredible support from club chairman Bill Kenwright and CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale and a talented team of staff and volunteers at the charity who, despite having to work in a different way, are absolutely determined to continue to reach out to our community and provide the best possible support we can to as many people as possible.”
