AARON WAN-BISSAKA spent his weekend packing 20,000 clinical PPE gloves into boxes.
It is just part of the Manchester United star’s personal fight against coronavirus.
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Man Utd star Aaron Wan-Bissaka has donated 20,000 clinical PPE gloves to the Democratic Republic of Congo
The £10,000 personal protective equipment — paid for by Wan-Bissaka himself — has been shipped to doctors in his father’s homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is the latest goodwill gesture from United’s £50million buy, who has also helped raise funds for the NHS.
Wan-Bissaka, 22, who prior to the Covid-19 outbreak bought his hard-working parents a new house, said: “I’m fortunate.
“There are those who aren’t able to protect themselves as well or have access to certain things during this crisis.
“It’s been great to give back. I know it’s not easy out there for them so it’s only right for me to help.”
The idea to send the gloves back to Kinshasa came from a doctor pal of Aaron’s dad, Ambrose, who fled the war-torn country in 1997.
Ambrose asked his son if he would help and not only did the ex-Crystal Palace ace stump up the cash, he then helped box up the equipment.
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Lockdown has given Wan- Bissaka a chance to reflect on a rapid rise to stardom which has seen him go from Palace reserves to a United and England star in just two years.
He knows how hard he has worked and what he has given up to make it to the top.
But he is also aware of the sacrifices made by those around him — and it has made him even more passionate about giving back.
The right-back has also been involved in Covid-19 fund-raising initiative #FootballUnited, which has seen his Fifa matches against Chelsea’s Reece James and Burnley winger Dwight McNeil broadcast online.
While builders have completed £400,000 worth of renovations on the £900,000 home Wan-Bissaka bought for his mum and dad after his United switch.
The six-bedroom, South London property is only a few miles — but a world away — from the council house Wan-Bissaka, his brother, Kevin, and folks lived in for the past 20-odd years.
AWB added: “I’ve moved on so it’s only right they move on as well. The journey throughout my life hasn’t been easy.
The defender paid for and boxed the gloves, worth around £10,000
“I’m so thankful for the time my parents have put into me since I started playing.
“Taking me to training every day straight after work, missing meals to do so, taking me when the weather wasn’t great, all the buses… it’s paid off.”
Kevin, four years Aaron’s senior, is now living in Manchester with his brother.
Yet had things gone as AWB predicted, it would be his elder sibling turning out in the Premier League not him. He said: “I always thought it would be him who made it. He was better than me.
“I wanted to be him. He led the way for me until his pathway narrowed and mine opened up. I learned everything from him.”
The pair used to play football with Kevin’s mates on the green opposite their childhood home.
AWB still remembers one rebellious evening as a stroppy teenager when he wanted to snub Palace training to hang out with his pals and ended up being chased by his dad through the park.
He recalled: “I always think about that time.
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“I loved matches but I wasn’t really enjoying training.
“I came home from school one time and my friends were out at the green.
“It was time to leave for training and I just didn’t want to leave them. He ran and chased me until I went!
“It’s funny to look back at now. But I understand why he did it. I’ll never forget that.”
It is a far cry from where ice-cool Wan-Bissaka shows no fear for the biggest club on the planet.
But he admitted nerves were jangling on his United bow in August, which ended with a 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea.
He added: “My family wanted to stay at mine for two weeks before that game they were so excited!
“The game felt different. It felt like the debut I made for Palace all over again. The nerves kicked in.
“There’s a lot of pressure at United. It’s just how you deal with it. You realise the whole world is watching, not just your fans.”
Family man Wan-Bissaka recently bought his parents a new houseCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
Wan-Bissaka helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to an 11-game unbeaten run before lockdown.
He feels he has adapted even better than he expected thanks to the openness off the Old Trafford dressing room.
AWB, close pals with Timothy Fosu-Mensah, said: “We all get along. I didn’t expect it.
“I thought because I was new, not many would engage with me.
“But as soon as I stepped in, everyone wanted to help me, showed me around, had conversations with me. They made me comfortable.
“The manager’s intentions have been to build this squad together and you can see the difference after the New Year. Every game we were getting better.”
Wan-Bissaka is famed for his tackling but his superb assist for Anthony Martial’s goal in February’s 2-0 win at Chelsea proved he has more to give.
That attacking ability will help in his England battle with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier.
Wan-Bissaka has been determined to keep busy during lockdown with his charity work, Fifa and keeping fit.
Like many, he is adapting to a temporary way of life.
Like most, he cannot wait to return to what he does best.
He added: “We all need to stick together and hopefully we’ll be back sooner than we think.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
