A community-minded charity has teamed up with a local rugby club to tackle the vital issue of caring for vulnerable Covid-19 crisis-hit residents

Kingsbridge and Saltstone Caring and Kingsbridge Rugby Club have joined forces to to provide lunches for the charity’s most isolated clients during the coronavirus lockdown.

The club is providing its kitchen facilities and the ingredients for the once-weekly hot lunches, which are being cooked voluntarily by its catering manager, Mandy Neale, and delivered by charity volunteers.

Club president Jonathan Robinson explained: “We wanted to help and work with the charity. We have the kitchen facilities at the club and we thought it would be lovely to be able to use them during this pandemic.

“We received a £500 donation from one of our club members, who wishes to remain anonymous, towards the food, and whatever else it costs we are going to continue to do it using our club funds.”

The charity, which provides a free befriending service to the lonely and isolated of Kingsbridge, Salcome and the surrounding villages, have continued to phone its clients for chats and to organise shopping deliveries.

Now volunteers are also providing a hot lunch every week for their most vulnerable clients, thanks to Mandy, her sous chef club steward Martin Newman, and the rugby club.

Chairwoman Sally Gilbert said: “This very kind gesture is funded by and is entirely the iniative of Kingsbridge RFC.

“Our clients have missed their usual personal visits from the volunteers due to the present Coronavirus crisis.

“Our office staff, working from home, rang most of our isolated clients, those with no relatives living nearby, to make the meal offer.

“Testament to the unselfish nature of clients, some declined to ensure that the most frail benefited first. One lady in her mid-90s cheerfully announced that her AGA was on, she had food and to let others go first.”

Sally continued: “It is felt that as well as nourishment and sustenance, this generous action will go a long way to help emotional well being.

“It will provide a break in routine and a physical sign that the immediate outside world cares.”

Sallty said it was great to be working alongside the ruby club to give clients a “real lift,” adding: “The rugby club has a long history of support for the charity and it is brilliant that we are getting together in such a practical way.

“Members of the club ‘stepped up to the plate’ so to speak to deliver this service. What a great team!”

She thanked all involved for delivering 21 meals to vulnerable residents.

To donate to the charity visit www.kascare.uk