Crystal Palace players have got together to donate an undisclosed sum of money to help Age UK Croydon through this crisis.

The  Premier League club confirmed that: “It was a joint donation made by all the players’ but they wanted to keep the amount private.”

Age UK Croydon is dealing with one of the worst crisis it is likely to face in its history.

It has been setting up a food and essentials hub to help the elderly community at 81 Brigstock Road which opens from 10am to 4pm with volunteers delivering goods to local older people or helping in other ways.

A spokeswoman for Age UK Croydon said: “We are very grateful to the players for donating to us – we’re going to be using the funds to support the key services we’re operating right now.”

The CPFC players donation will enable the charity to keep the food and deliveries hub well stocked, so volunteers can respond to need. It also means being able to buy some products, alongside the donations they are receiving from the ‘very generous public’, added the spokeswoman.

To donate or volunteer ring: 0208686 0066. 

Winger Wilfried Zaha has also opened up 50 properties he owns across the capital for free to NHS workers battling the coronavirus outbreak.

Zaha, who grew up in Thornton Heath and went to Whitehorse Manor School owns  50 apartments  as part of his ZO Properties company that the Ivory Coast international runs with business partner Obi Williams.

The Palace winger, via Williams’ Twitter account, put out a message calling for  NHS staff who needed housing to get in touch and were inundated with requests. They have now passed on the allocation process to NHS management with the apartments already full in days.

The duo are now appealing to other landlords or property companies out there, to come forward and offer help.

Zaha has also urged more people to make significant donations to the collective fight against coronavirus.

He said: “If people are willing to help we will welcome them with open arms, people just have to be willing to do it.”

The football ace, who contributes 10 per cent of his salary to charity, has also been using his Twitter account to ask people to donate to local food banks and repeating the message #stayhomeSavelives.

He said: “During these challenging times let’s all try to do our bit for those who are not as fortunate. Donate to your local food bank.”