WELLINGTON Rugby Club’s senior coach Allyn Chetland has spotlighted a section of its members, supporters and players who are on the front line in the fight against coronavirus.

They are either NHS staff actively keeping everyone safe, essential workers or providing a service to help the community.

He said: “These are our heroes, everyone’s heroes, and as a club we salute them. Thank you so much for everything you do and will continue to do.” Among them are:

Trish Acton – senior physiotherapist at Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH), senior club physio; Nick Monteriro – senior nurse at MPH – U18s medical support; Kristy Adams – nurse on the ITC at MPH, mother of one of the U13 players; Matt Mason – consultant surgeon at MPH, coach of U9s; Liz Ladd – radiographer at MPH; Nick Gilding – headmaster at Cotford St Luke School, still teaching children whose parents are front line workers – coach of U16s; Sarah Farrow – teacher and currently still teaching, secretary of U12s; Ben Orszag-Land – social worker for Devon Children’s Services, father of senior player, Issac; Danny Lee (senior player) – farmer, working long hours to ensure food is on supermarket shelves; Tom Crosby (senior player) – local vet – providing an essential service to local farmers; Josh Hancock (senior player) – works in child care in numerous homes ensuring vulnerable children continue to get the care they need; Amanda Bucknall – mental health lead for Somerset Partnership, mother of senior player Issac Orszag-Land; Kate Fishlocke – director at Wellesley Hospital, Chelston, Wellington – partner of senior player Tim Jenkinson; Lisa Jenkinson – carer at Nynehead Court – mother of U15s player Lucas; Anita Chetland – works at Asda in Wellington – keeping the shelves stocked, wife of senior coach; Matt Parsons – ex-player and coach, providing the Wellington community with free of charge family lockdown photos – all proceeds/donations going to either the NHS or a local charity or group.

Allyn added: “These are some of those who are working during this terrible crisis. There are others not mentioned and I thank them, too. May everyone stay safe.”