Ross County FC does its bits during Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic by launching For Our People campaign to help with meal provision, mental health support and those in self-isolation

ROSS County FC has launched a campaign to sustain its “bond” with the local community and do everything it can to help during the Covid-19.

The campaign – named For Our People – was launched in direct response to the coronavirus outbreak and aims to offer assistance with meal provision, mental health support and even just a chat with someone in self-isolation.

It is led by the club’s community manager Gordon Duff and aims to embody the club’s own philosophy of being “more than a club.”

He said that staff will seek to partner with support groups that are already up and running while also doing what it can for those involved with the club.

According to a statement: “Whether it is meal provision, conversation or mental health you can contact us to discuss, refer or suggest at any time.

"All calls and contacts are handled with strict confidentiality and we will always endeavour to support our people as much as possible.

“The campaign is designed to support our local people through the challenging situations during this unprecedented period.”

County has already contacted all of our over-65 season ticket holders to ensure their safety and security during this period and their ability to carry on as normal as possible during the social distancing and isolation measures. The club is now accepting referrals for people who could benefit from a call.

Finally, mental health and coping, the club also has learn at home workbooks and skills workbooks designed for young people as well as links on the club website for mental health support and advice.

Mr Duff said: “The staff basically started getting ideas together about what we could help after all the football-related activities were put on hold, so we thought about what we could do to help the local community at this time.

“We thought about the kids that come here to train and how to get them meals if they need them and we have already been in contact with all the over-65 season ticket holders to ask them if they need any help getting to the shops or just a chat.

“There are just a few of us at the club who have been doing daily checks and have to push things forward to make sure we give back to the community and work in partnerships with local groups that are already up and running.

“For example, the Dingwall food bank that works out of the scout hut, we gave them a call to see if we could get them any supplies or our own local food partner the Red Poppy restaurant because we are thinking about their situation having to be closed, you never know they may have to lay-off staff so we want to support them.

“The main point is that we are here and we can help, I’ve received more than 30 emails today already and loads of calls, like from one woman who told me about her grandfather who is isolated and would appreciate a call.

“We are also looking to work with Women’s Aid and Red Cross, basically there is a whole landscape of things and we want to do all we can to help and to maintain the bond with fans.”

Gordon Duff can be contacted at - gordon.duff@rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk

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