An open letter from Wayne Bullimore, Reds in the Community Chief Executive Officer, on COVID-19.

Dear Beneficiaries and Funders,  

I thought it now appropriate to bring our beneficiaries and funders up to speed with how Reds in the Community, the charitable arm of Barnsley Football Club, is faring at this extremely difficult time.

Coronavirus has paused everything and continues to have an impact on everyday life. Our thoughts are with those worst affected and deep gratitude to the selfless key workers who are leading the nations fight against this virus.

We are understandably concerned about the financial implications and our ability to continue supporting thousands of local people using sport and Barnsley Football Club as forces for good. We are working closely with all our local and national funding partners and will continue to engage in those conversations. I am grateful for all their support and solidarity.

We progressed our plans to access the Governments Job Retention Scheme involving around half our workforce to limit the financial impact due to the shutdown. All of the charity’s core face to face work is paused and any engagement continues to be digital and remote learning. Ensuring we keep things ticking over and ready to kick-on with our charitable objectives at the other side.

Our workforce remains our greatest asset and responsibility. I knew we had good people and they are all stepping up to the plate in these incredibly challenging times. I am extremely proud and thankful of all their support.

When we emerge from the coronavirus crisis, football will resume at Oakwell and all our vital work away from the pitch will be needed more than ever to address the physical, mental and social fallout that this virus will undoubtably leave in its wake.

Keep safe and well.

Kind regards, Wayne Bullimore, CEO