KNUTSFORD charity The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation has launched an emergency Covid-19 appeal.

The organisation was established following a trip by Sir Bobby to Cambodia, where he witnessed the devastating impact landmines were still having on innocent civilian communities.

The charity has since created conflict recovery centres in war-torn countries, delivering physical and psychological rehabilitation.

This week has seen the launch of a Covid-19 Emergency Fund Appeal by the Foundation to help support these same countries which are being disproportionately disadvantaged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sir Bobby said: “This is a time of great uncertainty and anxiety for us all, threatening our families and the communities on our own doorstep. However, we also have grave concerns about the impact on developing countries.

“We are seeing in many countries around the world that the poor are being disproportionately harmed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Through funding partnerships with local NGOs, the Foundation has already started providing much-needed support in countries like Cambodia, Jordan and Iraq, prioritising the delivery of ventilators, emergency food parcels and hygiene protection kits.

The Foundation has been working with one of its research and engineering partners to produce an improvised, low-cost ventilator which can be easily replicated and in service in a matter of weeks.

In extreme poverty people have to choose between staying indoors

Providing emergency food parcels to the most vulnerable people and families who are isolating will enable more people to comply with restricted movement requirements.

The contents of the Emergency Hygiene Protection Kits include facemasks, protective gloves, wet wipes, soap and sanitiser.

The Foundation is also disseminating safe behaviour and hygiene information.

Lou McGrath, chief executive of the Foundation said: “84,000 vulnerable people will be reached by our hygiene and safe behaviour messaging, 37,000 will receive hygiene protection kits, 6,500 will get emergency food parcels and 1,220 Covid-19 doctors, nurses and patients will benefit from new PPE and medical equipment.

“The initial target for the appeal is £130,000 and we are urging the public, the business community and the world of sport to come together with Sir Bobby and help in the fight against the Covid-19 virus in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

A fundraising page has been set up for the appeal, and donors will receive a download of the campaign’s rainbow image signed by Sir Bobby.

The rainbow has been painted by a child at The Sir Bobby Charlton Rehabilitation Centre in Amman, Jordan as a thank you to Sir Bobby for the support he has given to refugees who have fled conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. The rainbow is made up of the colours of the clubs Sir Bobby played for in his career.

To donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/Covid-19-Emergency-Response