Throwback to football initiatives supporting the elderly during the lockdown
Football’s efforts never stop. Not even during the COVID-19 pandemic. When nations around the world began implementing lockdowns that forced hundreds of millions of people around the world to stay at home to flatten the curve, football clubs, leagues and FAs and their community organisations launched support schemes.
The football community saw the need for strength, unity and solidarity and did not miss the call. Food banks were set up to provide for those struggling financially. Donations were made to hospitals and health care workers, both in the form of financial and humanitarian aid. Countless online challenges circulated through social media channels to continue promoting positivity and healthy habits even during such unprecedented times.
Among the groups identified by the football community as most in-need of support were the elderly. Football clubs, leagues and FAs around Europe came together to help their elderly fans and community members. They held long-distance fitness sessions and concerts, hosted e-meetings so Walking Football teammates could virtually reunite, and personally delivered fitness manuals and other necessities door-to-door.
These are just some examples of how the football family mobilised its resources and manpower to make a positive impact on the physical and psychological well-being of their fans – youngest to oldest.
The 1st of September marks the International Day of Older Persons, an event that seeks to highlight the challenges of the elderly people in contemporary society. Use #morethanfootball to highlight how your football organisation helps older persons throughout the pandemic. See the highlights from the COVID-19 initiatives below.
