NHS workers at Buckinghamshire hospitals will be the beneficiary of a £5,000 donation from EA Sports, thanks to Wycombe Wanderers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

The 37-year-old took part in a FIFA competition, hosted by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, with each player receiving £5,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.

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The ‘Beast’ nominated the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s Staff Wellbeing Appeal, which aims to support their staff’s wellbeing and mental health.

The appeal will also fund well-being packs, enhance areas to provide comfortable spaces for staff, and purchase other items or activities that will help the wellbeing of staff caring for COVID-19 patients.

The appeal has already exceeded its £12,000 target via public donations.

The striker said: “I wanted the money to make a difference to a cause which is close to home and right now the NHS deserve all of our love and respect for the work they are doing to help so many people.

“The Staff Wellbeing Appeal was recommended by Wycombe Wanderers and I’m happy that the money will hopefully help to make life a little easier for the NHS staff who are up against some incredible challenges right now.”

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Also, the club’s players, staff and fans have raised more than £5,500 in monetary donations for the One Can Trust foodbank in High Wycombe.

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said: “One Can Trust do phenomenal work in the High Wycombe community and now more than ever they need the help of local people and organisations like ours, who are able to play a part in raising awareness and funds to keep their work going strong.

“I’m so proud to see the response of the Wanderers supporters, and my players and staff, who have also chipped in and contributed to a terrific total which I know will help many families across the town.”

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Graham Peart, the One Can Trust chairman then added: “On behalf of everyone at the One Can Trust, as well as the many vulnerable people we are supporting, I would like to say a massive thank you to Wycombe Wanderers.

“Thank you to all the players and fans who have raised this incredible amount in such a short space of time - what a brilliant team effort!

“The total raised will make a huge difference, providing around 70 family food parcels and we absolutely need every penny we can get right now, as demand for our support is increasing on a daily basis.

“The Chairboys have done the town proud once again and we are extremely lucky to have a team which not only plays a great game but also values the whole community so highly."

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Prior to the season being suspended, Wycombe sat in eighth place, just three points off the automatic promotion places.