Norwich City players join forces with fellow Premier League stars to raise money for NHS
Norwich City players have joined forces with their Premier League counterparts to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Players from all 20 Premier League clubs will contribute to the fund which will support NHS staff, volunteers and patients.
The initiative, called #PlayersTogether, has been set up in partnership with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT).
Norwich stars Tim Krul, Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons were among the top-flight players to post a joint statement on social media on Wednesday night.
“This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can," the statement read.
“We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogther, and have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most."
Health Secretary and West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock welcomed the "big-hearted decision" on Twitter and praised footballers for "playing their part."
He'd previously said players should donate some of their wages to help the national cause.
The Premier League announced last week that players will be asked to take a 30% pay cut, but the Professional Footballers' Association warned against the move - arguing it could harm the NHS due to the loss in tax contributions.