MARC WILLIAMS is the driving force behind the Cymru Leagues support of the National Health Service Wales.

Current Aberystwyth Town attacker Williams, 31, has launched the initiative to help the NHS in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking about why he launched the fundraising effort, former Wrexham and Chester ace Williams explained: “These are very difficult times for everybody and we’re massively indebted to our key workers across Wales who are doing everything they can to keep us safe and well in these testing times.

“Having spoken to clubs across Wales, I’ve decided to set up a fundraising page to collect donations towards NHS Wales which players, staff and supporters of the game in Wales can come together and donate whatever they can afford towards our health service who need our support more than ever right now.

“We are all immensely proud of and grateful to our health service here in Wales, and hopefully this fundraising can represent an opportunity for the Welsh football family to come together and say thank you to them for their lifesaving work.”

And clubs have been ready and willing to support the cause with top-flight duo Airbus and Barry Town United donating over £400 each and Cymru North outfit Porthmadog adding £250 to the pot.

Caernarfon Town’s players have all donated to the cause en masse, while striker Joe Chaplin, on-loan at Gresford from Colwyn Bay, former Holywell and Airbus goalkeeper Shaun Pearson, now with Llandudno, and ex-Rhyl stopper and former England women’s goalkeeper coach, Lee Kendall are amongst other players to contribute, which has helped take the total to over £3,000 inside just five days.

“This is an all NHS Wales Health Board campaign hosted by Swansea Bay Health Charity,” read the story on the JustGiving page set-up by Williams.

“The money raised in this appeal will be split equally between the seven local health board charitable funds in Wales: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board.

“The monies you give will not replace statutory funding - the monies raised through this appeal will be used to fund ADDITIONAL items that go over and above what the NHS is providing.”

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marc-williams22

The move by former Wales Under-21 international Williams came on the same day the English Premier League joined forces to create the #PlayersTogether initiative which aims to raise funds for NHS charities during the coronavirus pandemic and distribute them “where they are needed most”.

Gresford are also playing their part in raising funds for the National Health Service, the Cymru North outfit donating £568 to Awyr Las as suggested by captain Josh Griffiths, right.

Awyr Las provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds,

Steve Halliwell saluted the fundraising efforts of the Gresford first team, reserves, staff and committee, the director of football tweeting: “Fantastic effort boys!! Proud of the club.”

Those words were echoed by defender Kai Jackson, who wrote: “Amazing from everyone involved, more than just a club @GresfordFC.”