London Irish RFC, based in Sunbury, have prepared over 20,000 meals for NHS workers in the local area through their Powering the NHS initiative. The professional team, who play in the Gallagher Premiership, teamed up with their sponsor Powerday to begin the program, which has proved a resounding success.

The  campaign began earlier this month, creating 500 meals a day at London Irish's Hazelwood training ground in West London. Club chefs  are now cooking upwards of 1,000 healthy, nourishing meals every day, with more than 5,000 being distributed last week.

Several First Team players have contributed to the campaign, including Scotland international Blair Cowan and Samoan hooker Moto Matu'u.

Edward Crossan, Vice Chairman of Powerday, who is funding the initiative, said: “We are honoured to be supporting those working on the frontline during this pandemic, they are true heroes. We have more than doubled the number of meals we are creating for NHS staff, since we started, and we’ll continue towards our target of delivering 100,000 meals.

“The feedback from nurses and doctors when we deliver these meals is extraordinary. They are dealing with this horrendous disease in the most professional and incredible way and providing them with meals to keep them going is the least we can do.”