Aston Villa's James Chester makes flat available to NHS
Villa defender James Chester has made his Birmingham flat available for NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 30-year-old has been on loan at Stoke since January, meaning his West Midlands base is currently vacant. Chester has listed the flat on the NHS Homes scheme, making it free for NHS workers to use if required during the pandemic.
He explained: “At the moment my Birmingham flat is empty, but this week I put it on a scheme for NHS staff. NHS Homes, it’s called. I only heard about it in the last few days. If doctors or nurses in the area need a place to stay, it’s there.”
Chester has also explained Villa’s involvement in the #playerstogether fund which allows Premier League players to donate money to NHS charities.
Captain Jack Grealish and Tom Heaton were involved in discussions over setting up the scheme, which was driven by Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson. Tyrone Mings, meanwhile, is co-ordinating the Villa players’ contributions.
Chester added: “I’m not sure how other clubs have done it, but at Villa we are texting Tyrone with the percentage of our monthly wage we want donating, and that will be sent direct by the club to the charity. It’s not compulsory, and a few of the lads who have come from abroad are interested in helping back home, which is understandable.”
