JAMES McCLEAN and Stoke City team-mate Joe Allen have donated sizeable sums of cash to help keep a local children’s hospice in business.
Irishman McClean was recently fined two weeks wages by his club after posting a picture giving his kids a “history lesson” while wearing a balaclava.
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James McClean (left) and Joe Allen have donated money to help save a children’s hospice in Stoke
But the Derry-born star, who is renowned for his charitable donations, has been lauded for his generosity during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Potters duo handed over their own cash to The Donna Louise Hospice – a registered charity who care for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
McClean, 30, has also gifted 400 pairs of surgical gloves, 100 face masks, protective visors, ten hand sanitisers and 100 gowns for a Derry GP.
Justine Trumper, of Stoke’s Donna Louise Trust, has praised the pair insisting their donations have helped save the charity from going under during the cash-strapped climate.
She told SunSport: “The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice is one of the poorest funded in the country.
“We receive less than 9 per cent of our funding from the government, the other 91 per cent we need to raise through fundraising and donations.
“But as a result of coronavirus, we’ve seen our income fall off a cliff overnight.
“As a charity that was already struggling financially, we have don’t have large reserves to see us through, and the future of our charity was very much at risk.
“Two of the very first to come to our aid, were Stoke City players James McClean and Joe Allen, who both made generous personal donations to The Donna Louise.
“The club has a long history of supporting our charity and we are beyond grateful for their support.”
‘WONDERFUL PEOPLE’
She continued: “It’s brilliant to see James also donating much needed Personal Protection Equipment in his home town of Derry.
“Whatever people’s personal circumstances, there’s always something they can do to help and it’s wonderful to see James and Joe leading the way.
“The Donna Louise provides a lifeline to hundreds of families who are facing every parent’s worst nightmare – the heart-breaking knowledge that they will almost certainly outlive their child.
“Wonderful people like James and Joe are helping to ensure that we can continue to be there for families every step of the way, and we can’t thank them enough!”
The donations were made before Health Minister Matt Hancock told players to “play their part” by taking a pay cut to their wages.
McClean recently slammed his “ridiculous” comments and says players already contribute with their good deeds.
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He told Sky Sports: “It’s ridiculous. You’ve got Matt Hancock saying we should take a pay cut. No one seems to like footballers.
“We’ve got livelihoods too and people might take this the wrong way but we do work hard for our money.
“Think about what players pay towards government tax. Football is a short career and we’ve got to look after our families once it’s over.
“I’ve seen players do great deeds from their own pocket.”
James McClean fined two weeks’ wages and forced to delete Instagram account over ‘inappropriate’ balaclava post
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
