Teaming Up with LFC and Widnes Vikings

Colleagues from the charitable foundations of Liverpool Football Club and Widnes Vikings rugby league joined forces to support Community Integrated Care to distribute PPE equipment to their services across the Liverpool City Region.

On Monday, 23^rd March, Community Integrated Care’s Merseyside Regional Office received a large shipment of personal protection equipment, to be distributed to the charity’s frontline social care services across the region. This equipment is an important resource in proactively preparing for the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.  

As the largest social care charity within the Liverpool City region, both charitable Foundations had independently contacted Community integrated Care to offer their support at this challenging time. It was identified that their support in distributing key supplies to our care and support services, which support people who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia, would be invaluable.

Community Integrated Care was grateful to have the support of four colleagues from Liverpool FC Foundation, the official charity of the iconic football club, who worked tirelessly to unpack and sort equipment for immediate distribution. Arriving within hour of the delivery being made, the team tackled what could have been an intensive task for a local office team.

They were later joined by Widnes Vikings players Ted and James Chapelhow, who are also employees of the Vikings Sports Foundation, the charity of the club. Ted and James have long-time associations with our charity, as Ambassadors for our organisation and our Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League programme.

Their vital support ensured that these essential items reached our frontline services on the same day as their delivery.

Sam Brennan, Managing Director for Community Integrated Care, explains: “To have the support of the Liverpool FC Foundation, the official charity of a club that is revered locally and internationally, and one of our most loved local rugby league clubs was incredible.

“These clubs mean so much in so local communities, so to see them showing their support for our charity at this difficult time has given everyone a much-needed boost. By taking on this important task, they ensured that our frontline and management team could focus on their other important responsibilities. We are grateful to them and every other member of our local community who is showing their support for our charity.” 

Matt Parish, Director, LFC Foundation, said: “Right across the club, we are committed to working together to provide support to our local communities during these very challenging times. We were delighted to be able to help with this important delivery to support frontline staff. Their work is so important and we thank them for their heroism.”

Phil Finney, CEO of Widnes Vikings, says: “Community Integrated Care have been loyal partners of Widnes Vikings and our charitable foundation for many years, so it is important for us to repay their support. The charity was founded in our hometown and supports and employs many people in our local area, so we believe that it is important that they have our full support at this challenging time. We are pleased that this support has made a difference.”