Frankie Dettori pledges support for communities in Italy with Go Fund Me page

Frankie Dettori has moved to help communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, setting up a Go Fund Me page to support the Italian Red Cross.

Racing as a sport has long been an industry that goes above and beyond to support each other and, horrified by the impact of coronavirus in his country of birth, Dettori made his plea.

Italy has been the worst affected country measured by fatalities, with 41,035 known cases and 3,405 deaths as of midday on Friday, and Britain's most famous jockey asked others to donate if they could.

He wrote: "Coronavirus is affecting people across the whole world but, like I’m sure it is for lots of Italian people living in the UK, it’s horrifying to see the chaos this virus has brought to Italy.

"Being here in the UK, it’s difficult not to feel helpless as I see the impact the pandemic is having on the people of Italy. I grew up in Milan, the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy, and hearing from my friends and family about how their lives have been affected is heartbreaking.

"I want to show solidarity with the people of Italy during this moment of crisis, and I would urge all of my fellow Italians in the UK to do what they can to support our home country.

"The Croce Rossa Italiana (Italian Red Cross) is doing incredible work to help people affected with the virus, as well as supporting people in quarantine by providing much-needed supplies.

"I know the situation here in the UK is extremely serious, and I would encourage you to donate to the British Red Cross too if you are able, but please, if you are fortunate enough to be able to support this campaign, then do."

Chester: supporting communities by setting up a collection for a local foodbankCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Chester supports local foodbank

Other parts of the sport are also doing their bit with Chester racecourse setting up a collection for a local foodbank and donating £1,000 worth of food items.

For all the negatives of the coronavirus outbreak one thing it has done all across Britain is bring communities closer together, and Chester has joined the local council and other volunteer groups to offer support to those who need it over the coming weeks and months.

The developing Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in panic-buying with supermarkets short of stocks on essentials and leaving the most vulnerable, who cannot afford to stock up, without access to many basics.

But starting on Friday members of the public can donate non-perishable food items such as dried goods and tins to those in need by dropping them off at the racecourse's on-site Holiday Inn Express between 9am and 9pm.

To kick things off the racecourse has donated £1,000 worth of food items, and all supplies will be given to West Cheshire Foodbank, and racecourse staff will also help distribute donations to those in self-isolation or unable to leave their home.

Chester chief executive Richard Thomas said: "There is a great deal of uncertainty felt around current events and the developing Covid-19 situation. We want to do as much as we can for the most vulnerable groups within our local community by supporting this new coordinated response effort.

"A coordinated response to the evolving pandemic demonstrates our solidarity as a community. We all have a part to play in protecting our most vulnerable residents and by working together we are stronger."

The racecourse has also set up a Just Giving page for those unable to drop off food but keen to support the efforts.

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