BLACKBURN ROVERS FC staff have been manning telephones over the past week to provide reassuring voices to both older and younger fans.

The club’s official charity, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, has been contacting people to keep them updated on postponed fundraising projects such as Jack’s Walkers, Line Dancing and Remember the Rovers.

These efforts come amid the shut down of almost all other club activity due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Blackburn Rovers Chief Executive Steve Waggott, Chief Executive said: “It’s in difficult times, like we’re going through now, that the essential role a football club plays within the community it serves comes to the fore, by getting on the front foot rather than pulling away and reducing contact with the most vulnerable and at risk groups.”

The club has found fans to be grateful for help.

Community Trust Chief Executive Gary Robinson said: “We’ve been on the phones, calling elderly and vulnerable people that participate in our community projects – just making sure they’re alright – to let them know that we’re thinking about them and we’re here if they need to talk to a familiar voice or if they need us to run any errands on their behalf.”

Similarly, the club have kept in touch with young people and students making sure they stay up to date with now postponed educational projects including those run by the Blackburn Rovers Sports College and the Neighbourhood Youth Offer.

Staff have also been helping with local foodbanks by putting together food parcels to be delivered to vulnerable and self-isolating people.

Mr Robinson said: “To see the staff making phone calls to participants and supporting Blackburn Foodbank is heart-warming, but it doesn’t surprise me – they’re an amazing group of people who care passionately about Blackburn with Darwen.

“We’re having to adapt our approach to community work, but we’re as committed as ever to being there for our local community when they need us the most.”