Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has made an incredible donation of €20,000 towards a fund to feed frontline workers in Ireland during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Donegal man’s generous pledge has seen “Feed the Heroes” surpass 300,000 euro in funding since it was set up last week.
The fund goes towards buying and delivering meals to frontline workers in hospitals, ambulance centres, fire depots, garda stations and contact tracing centres nationwide.
Despite aiming to raise €250 when it was set-up a week ago, the fund has seen more than 7,400 people pledge a combined total of more then €300,000.
Your support fuelling the crew at CUH last night. Thanks to Conor in @NandosIRE for helping #feedtheheroes and refusing to take payment. pic.twitter.com/1aCy8SfiSx
— Cian O Flaherty (@cianflah) March 23, 2020
In a message on their GoFundMe page, organiser Cian O'Flaherty explained the support they've been able to provide to frontline staff.
"In one week we have dropped over 4000 meals to frontline workers in hospitals, ambulance centres, fire depots, garda stations, contact tracing centres nationwide. There is a lot more to come next week.
"We have been utterly blown away by the response of the public, and the trust and responsiblity they are giving us to support the family, friends and loved ones they have on the front line. We have ramped up an operation and now have networks across the country," he says.
"Our partners are dropping planned meals in coordination with frontline staff where it's needed. This has been greeted with an incredibly powerful sense of solidarity. You have had an impact.
"You have helped us to become an incredibly important part of the national response to COVID19. That was not what we thought we might do at the start but we're here now and we will step up and make sure your donations go where they can have an impact. We see you all want to let those on the front line know that we appreciate them, we see them and we stand (albeit socially distant) in solidarity with them all," he added.
You can donate to Feed the Herors by clicking here.
