ST HELENS players have stepped up to make sure the town’s older population is OK during the Covid-19 crisis.

The sport itself may be on shutdown but that has not stopped stars doing their bit to make sure many are both healthy and not isolated.

In partnership with the club’s foundation, several senior players are calling every season ticket holder who is over the age of 70 – about 900 of them – to check on their wellbeing.

The likes of Alex Walmsley, Zeb Taia, James Roby and Kyle Amor have all divided a list between them and are working their way through every name on it.

Each day, they call people who are categorised as high risk because of their age to chat, primarily to check on how they are and if they need someone to talk to.

After learning the foundation had taken on the task, several players – thought to be led by England prop Walmsley and backed by coach Kristian Woolf – approached them and said they wanted to join the effort.

The efforts have not been publicised but the St Helens club is proving to be something of a focal point in the Merseyside town’s effort to make sure people are OK.

Former players Paul Sculthorpe and Tommy Martyn and chief executive Mike Rush have all become involved with the St Helens Together movement.

And stocks from food and drink kiosks at their stadium have also been donated to local police and fire stations.

St Helens Together has even had support from Hollywood icon Russell Crowe as the project sees people collect key workers’ shopping – including comedian Johnny Vegas.

The funnyman is regularly dropping off groceries and vital supplies at homes around his home town.

And Gladiator star Crowe added his voice to the project, run in conjunction with The Steve Prescott Foundation charity and local amateur rugby league side Blackbrook, as well as the Eccleston Arms pub, by urging people to make use of it.

Although he did say recipients of parcels Vegas – real name Michael Pennington – delivers should check the contents.

Crowe said: “This is a message on behalf of my old mate Johnny Vegas.

“If you’re in the St Helens area, if you’re having trouble getting food deliveries from your local supermarket.

“The Steve Prescott Foundation and the Blackbrook rugby league team have set up a delivery service and they can help you out.

“They can pick up your shopping, they can maybe even pick up your medicine.

“One of the delivery workers is going to be Johnny Vegas, so expect to lose every second or third biscuit!”

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