Helston Athletic Football Club have shown their support for two charities based in the town to help deal with the effects of the coronavirus.

The players and management of the club have raised £6,000 through player fines and other donations to be shared between Helston and Lizard Foodbank and Helston Community Hospital.

The foodbank – which is part of the Trussel Trust network of foodbanks operated by Mustard Seed – is run by volunteers and provides non-perishable emergency food to local people in crisis, while the hospital provides inpatient care and a range of clinics for the people of the town and the surrounding area.

It is common practice for sports teams to collect fines from players who breach club rules, such as attending with unclean boots, arriving late and allowing a mobile phone to ring in the changing room, with such funds usually set aside for end-of-season celebrations.

But with the season having been brought to an early end and the coronavirus situation requiring an unprecedented need for financial support, club captain Mark Goldsworthy and first-team manager Steve Massey proposed that all team monies collected, along with some additional donations from members, be split between the hospital and the foodbank in support of essential supplies.

With his fines committee of striker Mark Goldsworthy and midfield pair Olly Brokenshire and Neil Slateford unanimous in their wish to give the money raised to a good cause, Mr Massey and other members within the club followed suit with their own personal donations to bring the total amount to a £6,000.

He also told the Packet that the foodbank donation had been especially well received as funds and supplies were running very low.

"We've been for many, many years the community hub really," Massey said. "Our facilities are home to many of the groups and meetings and weekly get-togethers, from the bridge clubs to the Slimming Worlds and kids' clubs, and we just thought it would be nice to give something back in these unprecedented times.

"We're not playing football now but when we do the community will remember that we helped them out and maybe they'll come across and continue to support us in our quest to be the best in Cornwall."

He added: "We are a small community, we're a small town, but we're very, very proud and we do work together in a lot of ways. The club itself is busy seven days a week and for many of those days we are a venue for projects and group in the town itself. We hope everybody is going to stay safe and well, and when we get out of this we can all have a good party!"

Club chairman Paul Hendy said: "This extremely kind gesture is not from the club, but from its players and management. I feel immensely proud of their decision to support two local based charities, whom I know will welcome every pound they can collect at this difficult and challenging time."

Mayor of Helston, John Martin, thanked the players and club, saying: "With funds starting to run low, such donations are magnificent, much needed and will be gratefully received – thank you."

The transfer of the donated funds to both charities is currently being processed.