Crystal Palace defender Martin Kelly has opened up on just how important it is to him and his family to support the NHS through the Players’ Initiative. The subject of footballers’ wages has been a hot topic of debate during the lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, with health secretary Matt Hancock last month calling on Premier League stars to do their bit for society by taking a pay cut. Kelly has now explained the importance of helping the NHS and why it has a personal meaning for him and his family.
Martin Kelly said: “Our NHS is taken for granted sometimes. We understand [that] – me especially with Katherine, my partner, being an Intensive Care Nurse. She isn’t working during these times, of course, with [their newborn daughter] Gia being so young, but she is looking to get back into work when she can. Katherine updates me with what her friends and colleagues have been saying on her WhatsApp groups, and it has been a really difficult time for them. She has been showing support to them and looking forward to seeing them all as soon as possible. The Players’ Initiative, all the players were right on board straight away with helping out in any way we possibly could. We understand how hard it is in the NHS at the minute with the virus.”
