Richmond Rugby will go above and beyond this summer to help provide for children in the area, amid the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

The organisation will supply children with free nutritional meals on a daily basis, after securing money from the London Coronavirus Response Fund.

A spokesman for the club said it had spoken to a number of partner schools and recognised the need for vulnerable children to continue to receive a nutritional cooked meal throughout the summer months for positive physical and mental wellbeing.

Richmond Rugby Head of Community, Dom Palacio, said: “From mid-July until schools return in September, our catering team at the Richmond Athletic Association (RAA) will cook daily meals, Monday to Friday, for up to 40 local school children who are being identified throughout our community. This process has been proudly supported by our club partner schools, in particular Grey Court School, with the help and assistance from the Ham Youth Club Richmond.

“The cooked meals will then be delivered to the children by our incredible army of Richmond Rugby volunteers, who have been working exceptionally hard these past few months, supporting the ‘Dons Local Action Group’ at our food collection points every Saturday at the Athletic Ground and daily at Tesco Extra Twickenham.”

Chris Rhodes, Head Teacher at Grey Court School, said: “This is a hugely important announcement by Richmond Rugby Club and one which we are extremely happy to support and help facilitate throughout the summer holidays. We have had some great discussions with the club and Ham Youth Centre Richmond and strongly believe this will make a huge difference to those children in need throughout our community.”