St Helens may be two weeks into lock-down but the borough is most certainly digging deep when it comes to pulling together amid the coronavirus pandemic. Just this week we heard about the heart-warming service offered by Eccleston Arms Bar & Grill, teaming up with  Blackbrook ARLFC & The Steve Prescott Foundation, to not only provide an essential service, delivering much needed food to those most in need but even bringing a smile to their faces in the process, with thanks to some special guests including Rugby League stars, ex Stillia front man Jack Bennett with his guitar and local comedian Johnny Vegas plus a little help from down under from Gladiator star Russell Crowe helping to spread the word.

Andrew Mikhail says “One of the main reasons that we have all worked together tirelessly to set this scheme up in such a short time is that we understand the importance of encouraging people to stay at home to saves lives and to protect our hero’s in the NHS and Care workers.” Andrew, who’s dad was himself a GP, read the story about a local GP who has been involved in fundraising to have protective face visors made on 3D printers locally to protect those within the NHS working on the frontline who are risking their lives to save others and wanted to offer his help. He says “When I read of the community spirit fundraising for the visors and knowing that we had the team already in place to support them, I spoke to Martin Blondel (Steve Prescott Foundation) and we wanted to offer to help distribute some of the face visors for them across the town to Medical Centres and clinics.

Dr Greg Irving, a GP from Eccleston, says of the offer to team up “I have been overwhelmed with the camaraderie in these unprecedented times. Rather than just looking out for themselves the people of our town have offered unwavering support to those most in need. We are like The Little Boats at Dunkirk, the Government are sending the big ships but the little boats can make a big difference aswell.'