WEST HAM skipper Gilly Flaherty feared she would lose her family business when Covid-19 hit.
The Women’s Super League ace, 28, has spent the past year building up a sports therapy business with her partner Lily.
Gilly Flaherty feared coronavirus would spell the end for her family business
But when the killer virus forced the closure of all non-essential services in March, Flaherty was left wondering how they were going to make ends meet.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
Any profit made from their cryotherapy business – which uses extremely cold temperatures to aid the body’s recovery from injuries and ailments – either goes towards paying the bills or back into the company.
The Hammers defender eventually had to set up a fundraiser to help the company stay afloat.
She said: “My first thought was, we are going to lose the Cryo-Lounge.
“All that hard work we put into it for the last year was going to go out the window.
“We’re a small, family-run business with no investors, so a lot of it solely relies on our own income, savings and what we do on a daily basis.
“My biggest panic was obviously about loved ones catching the virus, and then I thought will my business survive?
“For me it’s more about what happens in four, five, six weeks time when the breaks from the finance provider are gone.
“It’s about making sure the business can still run and spreading the word about what we do.
“Thank you to everybody who is supporting us through these tough times.”
Gilly (left) has been in lockdown with her partner Lily (right)
Flaherty is a big advocate for speaking out on mental health struggles.
She lives in a flat with Lily, who suffers from anxiety and battled panic attacks almost every day at the start of the challenging lockdown period.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea ace added: “I’m happy being in my own company in a way.
“But my partner is really struggling with her anxiety, which I’ve seen first-hand. At the start it was at its worst probably.
“If you are struggling I would suggest coming away from social media, the news and just talk to people.
“I’ve really missed my family and I think I probably take for granted just being able to go around there for a cuppa and seeing my nieces and nephews.
“We’ve got a niece who was born in October and I feel like I’ve missed so much of her development.
“She’s going to be crawling by the time I see her again, that’s a massive thing.
“Use the time you’re allowed to go out and exercise, just getting out in the fresh air is massive for your mental health.”
There is no set date for the WSL to restart since it was suspended on March 13 with 45 games left to play.
Plans have been touted for the top flight to be completed behind closed doors at one central venue over six weeks.
But Flaherty reckons women’s football may struggle to meet the huge financial and technical demands of an operation like the Premier League’s Project Restart.
She added: “For us it’s the unknown. No one knows when we’re going back, if we’re going back, if the season will end.
“In an ideal world we’d finish it but I don’t think footballers should be a priority for testing over key workers.
“I’ve got family members who are key workers who should get the test ahead of me and that’s the girls’ beliefs as well.
“I know the Premier League are trying to make it work. But there’s the financial side for the women.
“And whether we go to neutral venues or not, no one’s really sure yet. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks a decision will be made.”
The East Londoners have been praised recently for their handling of the coronavirus crisis.
They swiftly agreed a pay deferral deal with the first team squad to enable the club to avoid using the furlough scheme and continue to pay their non-playing staff 100 per cent of their wages during the football blackout.
The women’s team receive unique, updated training plans on a daily basis to keep them sharp, if and when the top-flight is back in action.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
Flaherty said: “Training and doing our programme on our own can be tough, obviously nothing can replicate a face to face session.
“People like me living in a flat don’t have a garden or a big field so I’m very limited with space but you have got to just try and make the best out of the situation.
“A lot of the concern from players I’ve spoken to is the injury side.
“Rushing back and trying to fit all the games could potentially put someone out for 12 months.”
Flaherty has been involved with the Hammers at Home campaign which is a scheme run by the club to keep fans engaged and put a smile on their faces amid the tough lockdown period.
There are challenges for kids that range from workouts to cooking classes with the stars of the men’s and women’s first team.
The Irons ace said: “It’s making sure that the youngsters stay engaged because we’re finding it tough as adults and we understand the situation.
“Youngsters who haven’t got a clue why they can’t go to school or be with their friends obviously are having to try and stay engaged too,
“Any way that we can help with the club, we’re all supportive of and pushing it.”
More information on the Hammers at Home be found here
To support Gilly’s Cryo Lounge and take part in the fundraising challenge visit this page.
Young West Ham supporter receives heartwarming video messages from Hammers stars Mark Noble and Jarrod Bowen
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
