With matches cancelled, there was only one other option for one rugby team – devote their time to helping others.

Instead of taking the time of cancelled events and self-isolation to sit back and relax, the caring players of Distington Amateur Rugby League are doing their bit to make sure their community is looked after.

Taking the lead of support group 'Friend not Foe' is club chairman Mark Askew, with the help of secretary Gary Armstrong, coach Carl Hewer and senior player Sean Sutton, who have got leaflets prepped and ready to deliver throughout the Distington, including Pica and Gilgarran.

"We aren't doing this for brownie points, it's just because people need others more than ever now," Mark said.

"Even doing something as small as this can make such a huge difference to the elderly and vulnerable in the area."

With 20 players and staff in the group ready and willing to help at a moment's notice, the village is in safe hands, and those who are in isolation, or are elderly and vulnerable are being offered support.

By calling one of the four numbers on the distributed leaflet, people can have shopping and prescriptions picked up and delivered by one of the team members.

And the group are doing their best to make people feel safe as well as cared for.

Mark explained: "We go out in ones and wear gloves, and stand back when we're dropping things off for people – we don't want to be getting anybody ill.

"We've also put a picture of the team's kit on the leaflet so people know what they look like. There are more than likely scammers going round for this sort of thing, so we want people to know it's not just any Tom, Dick or Harry turning up."

The supportive chairman added: "If you can help a neighbour or your community by doing something as simple as giving someone a knock and asking if they're OK, then you're ensuring that all people that are vulnerable and elderly have confidence and know they're being looked after.

"Just look out for your neighbours – if everyone does that, it'll be better than anyone can imagine."